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"Unfortunately, here in the United States, that is common, especially with lower-paying jobs. We are just recently seeing more of a trend for paternity leave. Most times it is unpaid leave of absence but it is 'excused' time. The amount of time off is minimal, however, the 'work benefit' for the paternal side is making a presence here. It still does not equate to other countries who practice this idea and most times it is not a benefit in 'blue collar' type jobs," Labor and Delivery nurse Holly explained to Bored Panda.
"I hate to use the word 'benefit' because it’s not much of a benefit to have a week or two off with a newborn, however, that’s the way employers like to portray it as part of their 'benefit packages.' I do believe a parent that is unable to have paternity leave with a newborn is at a disadvantage of bonding and transitioning into a new role as a parent and spouse. It causes a significant strain on both parents. If the parent is single and unable to take 'paid paternity' leave, it can lead to significant mental and emotional distress."
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According to Holly, the US has only recently started to recognize the importance of family/work balance as a country.
"In the US, most internationally owned businesses have set a standard of paternal paid leave causing a new influence on the US-owned businesses to follow suit. The older generations here in the US have always practiced in an older model where the paternal figure works and the maternal figure stays home to care for family," the nurse said.
"However, in the new family model, everyone is working and contributing financially and the need for paid paternity leave is more necessary than ever. Lower paying jobs still tend to follow the old model of no paid paternity leave, but my hope is the influence of internationally owned businesses helps drive the practice of standard paid paternity leave."
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Nurse Holly stressed that it's necessary that every paternal figure ought to receive paid time off to be with a newborn.
"It is necessary that the time is not rushed. Everyone is different in how much time is required to take off. I feel that it can be absolutely beneficial to relationships with the newborn and spouses/significant others to partake in the PAID time off. As well as their mental health in the transition into a major life event," she said that there are various benefits.
"I don’t know if there is a 'right amount' of time [to spend together], however, I have personally seen some of our neighboring paid paternity leave practices and I am envious," she said.
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The New York Times article takes a look at paid maternity leave, paid parental leave, as well as paid leave for a health problem. Even though dads get a lot less love than new moms do, around the world, the general trend is the same: the US lags behind other developed and developing nations on Earth.
We’re too exhausted to call it embarrassing by this point, so we’ll settle for ‘unfair' instead. The healthcare system in the US can be inefficient, expensive, and (you could even argue, in some cases) predatory. Not all workers get the support that they need. In the Wild West system that’s in place, you can make it big… but if you get hurt or need some time off, you’re going to feel the pain. Badly. The American Dream seems to favor the eternally healthy and those without family obligations.
The fact of the matter is that newborn kids need to spend a lot of time with their parents. It builds a strong emotional connection between them that can last a lifetime. When you’re back at work right after becoming a new parent, it’s frankly ridiculous. Dystopian, even.
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BBC Worklife states that only around 21% of American workers have access to paid family leave through their employers. Other parents have access to 12 weeks of _unpaid leave_ if they work at a company with 50 or more employees. That puts a lot of pressure on parents who feel the financial pressure and need the money to keep a roof over their families’ heads and to put food on the table. Some choose to go back to work immediately. But it’s not really a choice though, is it?
Labor and Delivery Nurse Holly D. previously explained to Bored Panda a bit more about how it’s incredibly important for both parents to be together throughout the entire process of the birth and afterward. “To say that a mother or father being present after the birth of their child is important does not seem enough,” she told us.
“The postpartum period is such an intricate time for the mother to heal, physically emotionally, and mentally,” she said. “It is also a time where bonding and learning with the newborn takes place. This bonding is healing in so many ways. In premature birth, mothers are forced to make a choice to heal physically or postpone that postpartum time off from work for when the infant comes home from NICU,” she said.
“Unfair/inhumane will describe that forced decision that employers have placed on the parents in these situations. Employers should not be dictating the medical needs of the mother and imposing continued delay in bonding time with their infant.”
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