If we are such a great country, why are we one of the only ones without paid paternity leave of any kind?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternity_leave

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Or maternity leave even, haha

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1) we aren't such a great country

2) we aren't a country with socialistic medicine

3) we aren't "one of the only ones" without paid leave.

I dunno, I have some paid maternity leave through my employer. I don't have a problem with the government not picking up the tab for maternity leave, I really don't. But, then again, I'm one of those crazy folks that doesn't want the government that much involved in my life whether it be feeding me, giving me paid time off, telling me what to do with my body, or being involved in my medical business.

I've often wondered though why the double standard still exists with paternity leave, why aren't men offered the same thing?

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DING DONG THE BIATCH IS DEAD!!!

Here is the thing about paid maternity leave. I live in Canada where there is paid maternity leave. The leave can be shared with the father if desired. I believe the maximum time is one year.

As someone who is ttc, I am very glad the country I live in has mat leave. However, there are some downsides. Our mat leave comes out of the Employment Insurance program. Everyone who takes home a paycheck MUST pay into EI for their whole life. I just checked one of my paycheques and they take off $20 every cheque for EI (and I only make $25K/year). That is $40/month. My hubby makes twice what I do so I would imagine they take $80/month off his cheques. So that is $120/month.

Mat leave pays 55% of my wages, which would be $13,750 if I have one child (which is our intention). $27, 500 should we be lucky enough to have two children.

So what will we pay into EI over our lifetime (assuming we never get raises or promotions for the rest of our lives)?

Let's say we both work from 20 years old to 65 years old (it is likely longer but I am being conservative). That is $120/month x's 12 months x's 45 years= $64, 800.

Hmmm. Does not seem like such a good deal anymore, does it?

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Except one thing, Jacie. Employment Insurance doesn't JUST cover maternity and paternity leave. It is also in place in case you find yourself unemployed, which could easily happen to anyone. And I'd be willing to bet that a good number of working Americans are paying into some sort of unemployment insurance program anyway, so what's the difference? Oh, except they can't get any paid mat or pat leave out of it.

Although I do see your point, I do not foresee myself collecting much unemployment insurance. I would take maternity leave for the sake of our child; however, if I were to get laid off I would find a job very quickly. I would never sit at home for no reason. I have too much integrity. Plus, I could not justify the loss in wages. I was laid off once, and did not collect EI. I applied for it but had two jobs before I even collected a cheque.

EI is good for some people, there is a need for is sometimes. But usually, like most social programs, it benefits those who take advantage of it. Note I said MOSTLY.

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Hello, I do not post much here, but this one caught my attention. If employed, it depends on the employer. My old employer paid for maternity and paternity leave. So did dh's. It was great. Didn't have to use any vacation time. Alot of countries do not have paternity leave, but have maternity. Not fair, but guess they figure we do not need our dh's!! By the way, I do not agree with everything my country does, but I love the USA and would not live anywhere else. Well, maybe someplace tropical.

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Personally, I'm not sure I would WANT DH on leave for 6-8 weeks. : There is already a stress of adjusting to a new baby, but to have him there in my hair all day long. WOW. Also, I think that I would get used to him being there and helping out with things that when he goes back to work, I'd be at a loss. My sister just went through this. Her DH is a Detroit cop and took 2 weeks off when she hd the baby. I personally advised her against it, but her DH works nights and so she thought it would be good for him to be there at night. When he went back to work, she called me crying cause she was getting up every 2 hours (where he had been doing that) and was now having to adjust.

Also, my DH isn't the one who pushes a 'watermelon' through a grape hole. I deserve time off. < snicker > (I say all this, but I'm a sahm so never get time off anyways). LOL

Jacie, that was interesting how you put that all together. I never have been one for socialized medicine, etc and am now more against it I think.

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I am totally fine with out it. DH got laid off a few days before I had my daughter and when he got his current job I was thrilled. I love my DH very much but with him around it is like having 4 kids there instead of 3 kids and another parent.

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