Those of us working moms who are lucky enough to get 12 weeks of maternity leave off from our jobs may still feel like that's far from enough time. Many of us long to spend more time with our kids -- and it turns out there's a very good reason for us to deeply desire this: When mothers return to work full-time in less than 40 weeks following the birth of their children, it adversely affects the kids' health, development and behavior, Slate recently reported.
Ugh. Now the really bad news: Most U.S. women take not only far fewer than 40 weeks of leave believed to be ideal, but far fewer even than the 12 weeks of (unpaid, job-protected) leave allotted under the Family and Medical Leave Act. According to census numbers cited by Slate, more than 25 percent of us return to work less than two months after we've given birth, and 10 percent of us go back in four weeks -- or less.
That is just so wrong.
Sure, there may be women who return to work quickly after giving birth because they are just dying to get back to their jobs -- though going back within four weeks of labor and delivery (or worse, a C-section) hardly seems desirable for anyone but the most dedicated career gals. But it's probably safe to say the majority of those new moms ripping their babies from their breasts and schlepping off to work with sopping shirts, heavy lids, and heavy hearts are probably doing so because they feel they have no real choice.
Women may be concerned that their employers will punish them for taking too much time off (despite the legal protection provided by the FMLA), or they may just need to get in there and start making some money to support their newly expanded family. They may feel compelled to prove to their employers that they are dedicated to their careers or their jobs. Whatever the reason, it's really a tragedy that so many of us may feel we have little other option than to leave our babies to others' care and return to work so soon.
It's even more outrageous given, as Slate points out, there is now considerable evidence that short maternity leaves have been linked to "developmental delays, sickness, and even death."
It's time for women to rise up and demand more time off following the birth of our babies -- and it's time for employers to meet this demand. We owe it not only to ourselves, but to our children.
How much time do you plan to take off (or did you take off) following the birth of your child?
Image via footloosiety/Flickr
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Comments 80
When you are a hairstylist paying booth rent with clients needing in its hard to take off more than 3-4 weeks. Not only does it hurt your bank account (booth rent and lack of income) but you take the chance of losing loyal clients. It's not fair but that's now it is. Granted I'll get to stay home most days until my husband gets off works but it's back to work for me asap.
I took the full 12 weeks... my job only pays for 6 weeks (8 if you have a csection) so I had to go with no pay for the second half of leave. I never would have been able to do it except my parents were awesome enough to give me money to get through it. They also felt that it was more important for me to be home and that 6 wks was too early for me to go back. .. Otherwise, my ass wouldve been at my desk!! If you google maternity leaves the USA has the most pathetic one. It's unbelievable how much time women in other countries are given.
With my first, 8 weeks after c-section. I coudln't stand having him be there, being a first year teacher and going to grad school.....so I quit grad school and my job (couldn't afford grad school without the job, and coudln't continue the job with out the gradschool :/).
With my second, I have 12 weeks off. Hopefully it will be enough. I hope they will allow me days here and there to spend time with my baby. They grow up too darn fast!
I went back to work within a month with my first two kids. I honestly thought I was going to have to do the same with my daughter, but right this second it looks like I'll be blessed with being able to stay home longer. However, if I do return to work before I'm ready it will be because I HAVE to do it!! I also feel that people need to quit making mothers feel guilty for working to provide what their kids need! Kids are better at adapting to circumstances than people want to give them credit for!! Our kids are not being taught to be strong enough to handle LIFE anymore.
I do not get maternity benefits at my job. I cannot afford to take a leave of absence without pay. I will probably only take a week, week and a half tops off of work. This is my first child and I would love to have more time with her when she is born in April. But unless I qualify for benefits here soon, that is the MOST I can take.