U.S. Moms Deserve More

Many people believe that the United States is the best place to raise a healthy child in the world due to the country’s wealth and good education systems. However what many people don’t relies is that it could be better if the government put in place more policies to help support working mothers. For example “Finland was ranked #1 place to be a mom by State of the World Mothers in 2013”. This is because of their government services, generous work policies, and better child and maternal care. Before the baby is born mothers in Finland receive baby boxes from the government that contain all the necessary equipment for a newborn baby. Mothers in Finland also receive mandatory maternity leave of three months and an additional 6 month of paid leave after the baby is born. However, State of the World Mothers ranked the United States was ranked #30.This is because of poor child and maternal care and lack of government help. In the United States receiving paid maternity leave and is not mandatory. In the United States Good prenatal care depends on their type of insurance, amount of income and what hospital they are in. While battle in congress to pass an act that would give more mothers the opportunity to spend more time nurturing their baby while still receiving living wages is still in action, many women and children aren’t receiving the proper care they need to keep them healthy and happy. These issues are leading many U.S. citizens to petition the government for mandatory maternity leave and more resources for mothers from the government.

Khazan, O. (2013, July 11). The Secret to Finlands Succes. The Atlantic. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/07/the-secret-to-finlands-success-with-schools-moms-kids-and-everything/277699/

Subramanian, C. (2013, May 10). 10 Best Countries for Moms | TIME.com. NewsFeed | Breaking news and updates from Time.com. News pictures, video, Twitter trends. | TIME.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/10/10-best-countries-for-moms/

Battle of Working Moms

I have been researching the battle that working moms in the United States are currently facing. The first article I read talked about how children benefit much more from having their moms in the home and that the government should be doing more to help support working moms. Things they can do to help is to provide paid leave so that mothers can bond with their children from birth which can help babies develop better long term health and help them to develop skills and qualities that are instilled in children with a strong family foundation. According to Time Magazine mothers in 40 percent of homes are the ones bringing in income .And 74 percent of adults say that the increase of moms working make it hard for them to raise children. Though the second article from Time Magazine agreed that the government should be doing more to support working moms they believe that since many moms can`t afford top notch daycare services many children under the age of 5 education may be at risk if the split in congress to support working moms doesn’t come to an end.

I believe that since circumstances are changing and more moms are becoming the ones to bring income into the home then it is government`s job to help ease the burden to those citizens by providing working moms with more time to interact with their children without being negatively affected. They can do this by offering paid maternity leave, better daycares for middle aged families, and offering more paid vacation and emergency leave time.

The first article includes studies from various sources some examples are Harvard University,Census,and The Family and Work Institute. And quotes from Jody Heysman the Director of the institute of Good Health and Public Policy and Bob Drago, research director of the institute for Women’s Policy Research in Washington. The Article from Time Magazine also includes information from various sources including studies from Heather Boshey and Sarah Gynn members of the center of American Progress.

These articles were important because of proximity. It tells the battle that working moms in the United States is currently facing and what moms in the United States are doing to get the attention of congress.

Warner, J. (2013, May 31). Judith Warner: What Americans Really Think About Working Moms | TIME.com. Ideas | Essential Insights. Great Debates. Informed Opinions. | TIME.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013, from http://ideas.time.com/2013/05/31/what-people-really-think-about-working-moms/

Petition for Maternity Leave in the United States | Working Mother. (n.d.). Tips and Advice for Balancing Work, Family & Life | Working Mother. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://www.workingmother.com/best-companies/everyone-us-state-maternity-leave

Moms Fighting Back

Better benefits for working moms is a current battle that has been occurring right here in the United States. Paid maternity leave is offered to 178 nations worldwide. “The United States is the only high income nation that doesn’t offer paid maternity leave” says . According to the 2009 Census only half of all moms in the United States were able to receive leave with pay and only 16 percent of companies in the United States offered payed leave.

Children who have time to bond with their parents early in life receive better long term health .A study shows that a mother that has leave is more likely to breastfeed which lowers the risk of illness and death in babies in their first year. According to Harvard University behavior and skills are built on aspects that were developed during childhood starting from. So the world depends on the qualities that are instilled in children that are built on strong family foundation.

There have been some efforts in the United States to help moms receive get off time when needed for the kids however the success of these programs seem to vary. The well-known Family Medical Leave Act that was established in 1993 but wasn’t proven effective because it has to be paid, only certain jobs offer it and you must be employed for a year or more to use it. Which are all various reasons to automatically disqualify some moms.

However California and New Jersey both have successful programs where moms and dads can take up to 6 weeks off and receive up to a percentage of their weekly pay. California found that leave had little to no impact on work productivity. Employers also found that they save money because employees use state leave which they pay very little for each month instead of using company leave which the company has to pay for.

Campaigns are being put in action to provide paid leave to all workers by 2015.The mission is to create a leave plan that is good for the employee and the employer.

Warner, J. (2013, May 31). Judith Warner: What Americans Really Think About Working Moms | TIME.com. Ideas | Essential Insights. Great Debates. Informed Opinions. | TIME.com. Retrieved September 21, 2013, from http://ideas.time.com/2013/05/31/what-people-really-think-about-working-moms/

Petition for Maternity Leave in the United States | Working Mother. (n.d.). Tips and Advice for Balancing Work, Family & Life | Working Mother. Retrieved September 22, 2013, from http://www.workingmother.com/best-companies/everyone-us-state-maternity-leave

More wanted for mom`s in America!

Finland was ranked #1 place to be a mom by State of World Mother`s in 2013.This is because of their government services, generous work policies, and better child and maternal care. Mothers in Finland receive baby boxes from the government that contain all the necessary baby equipment. Mothers in Finland also receive mandatory maternity leave and an additional 6 month paid leave after the baby is born. However the United States was ranked #30.This is because of poor child and maternal care and not enough government help. In the United States receiving paid maternity leave and is not mandatory. Mothers in the United States also usually only receive good prenatal care depending on their insurance, income and what hospital they are in. Due to these issues many women and children aren’t receiving the proper care they need to keep them healthy and happy. These issues are leading many U.S. citizens to petition the government for mandatory maternity leave and more resources for moms from the government.- Kimberleigh

Khazan, O. (2013, July 11). The Secret to Finlands Succes. The Atlantic. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/07/the-secret-to-finlands-success-with-schools-moms-kids-and-everything/277699/

Subramanian, C. (2013, May 10). 10 Best Countries for Moms | TIME.com. NewsFeed | Breaking news and updates from Time.com. News pictures, video, Twitter trends. | TIME.com. Retrieved September 13, 2013, from http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/05/10/10-best-countries-for-moms/