More working parents in the U.S. are celebrating their first Mother’s Day with access to paid time off to care for newborns, but the majority still do not have this benefit. Efforts to expand paid parental and family leave are gaining momentum in Congress, with bipartisan groups pushing for new legislation this year. Currently, only 27% of civilian workers in the U.S. have access to paid family leave, with those in lower wage categories being less likely to have this benefit.
Families without paid leave face challenges such as sending their babies to daycare at a young age and giving up breastfeeding sooner than desired. The U.S. is one of the few countries without a national paid maternity leave policy, which has led to advocacy efforts for comprehensive paid family leave laws at the state and federal levels. One mother, Caitlyn Householder, had to quit her job due to illness and lack of paid time off, showcasing the need for universal paid family leave laws.
Disagreements over funding sources have been a major obstacle in passing paid family leave legislation, with Democrats favoring payroll taxes and Republicans preferring tax incentives for employers. A bipartisan group in the House has introduced a framework for extending paid family leave to more workers, potentially through state programs or tax incentives. Momentum is building for the introduction of legislation this year, which could provide benefits to a broader range of workers.
Some states, like Colorado, have recently implemented paid family leave programs, providing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for workers. However, for families like Carrie Martin-Haley’s, the benefits came too late, leading to financial struggles and the abandonment of business aspirations. Women’s participation in the labor force has grown, but access to paid parental leave has often been delayed, prompting advocacy efforts from mothers like Keenan Manzo, a flight attendant who fought for paid leave at Southwest Airlines.
The push for paid family leave is driven by the recognition of the challenges faced by many working parents, particularly those in low-wage jobs. Advocates are calling for comprehensive paid family leave laws at the federal level to ensure that all families have the support they need during important life events. Efforts to expand access to paid parental and family leave continue to gain traction, with hopes for legislation that can provide relief to a wider range of workers.
