Every Parent Should Have Paid Family Leave, the AAP States
There’s no limit to the number of new things you’ll have to manage when you become a parent. How to make ends meet and hang onto your job as you adjust to life with a baby shouldn’t be one of them, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
For the first time, the AAP is calling for the federal government to offer universal paid family and medical leave (PFML) for parents, as well as for workers caring for ill or injured loved ones or workers with serious health problems.[1]
“There’s a wealth of evidence that universal paid family leave improves the health of parents, children and families,” says Kimberly Montez, M.D., M.P.H., an associate professor of pediatrics at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and a co-author of the AAP’s official policy statement. “The AAP is about promoting the health and well-being of all children, and this policy would do just that.”
The move acknowledges the growing sentiment among parents and families that current parental leave protections in the U.S. aren’t just woefully inadequate — they’re detrimental to our health. What to Expect has also endorsed the need for universal paid leave after recently conducting a comprehensive survey that revealed the physical, emotional and mental benefits for moms and partners who take extended leave.
Clearly, things need to change, and the nation’s pediatricians are officially on board.
What is universal paid family leave?
The AAP recommends that the federal government create establish universal paid family leave. This new national policy should offer at least 12 weeks of paid time off for birthing and non-birthing parents of newborn infants and parents of newly placed children (who are adopted or fostered). Workers caring for ill, injured or disabled family members and workers with their own serious health problems should receive the same amount of paid leave time.
“We know that paid leave is really important to help employees balance work and family responsibilities,” says Dr. Montez. “It can also promote health equity.”
A national social insurance program could fund this policy. At the same time, incentive grants and other initiatives should encourage workplaces to be more family-friendly, the AAP adds.
This stands in stark contrast to the current situation. The U.S. is one of only six countries in the world without universal paid family and medical leave for all families.[2] The existing Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year; many families simply can’t forgo a paycheck for that long, so they can’t take advantage of the program. FMLA also excludes nearly half of U.S. workers due to restrictions on new or part-time employee status, independent contractors and business size.
Beyond the FMLA, families must navigate a patchwork of state and local programs — or simply make do on their own. That’s created a situation where 74% of moms agree that they didn’t get the time off they needed to recover before returning to work, the What to Expect survey found. Plus, 42% report taking leaves that are unpaid.
“It’s really hard for families to just ‘figure it out’ while caring for a newborn,” Dr. Montez says. “The financial stress is just huge.”
Why is universal paid family leave beneficial?
Universal paid family and medical leave benefits infants, parents and communities.
Parental presence and emotional availability is crucial for infant physical and mental development, the AAP says. Research shows that paid family and medical leave is associated with lower rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, hospital admissions, and neonatal, infant and child mortality. Conversely, it’s tied to higher rates of breastfeeding and timely vaccinations. These important benefits can have lasting effects on a child’s health, leading to improved outcomes well into elementary school.[3]
Parents — especially moms — also do better with paid time off. Those who receive PFML are less likely to be rehospitalized after birth. If they choose to breastfeed (which is more likely with PFML), they in turn may have lower rates of breast and gynecologic cancers, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, the AAP notes.
There are major emotional benefits too. PFML is linked to a reduced risk of postpartum depression, better self-esteem and a generally more optimistic outlook. It also helps improve parental relationships, since it encourages parents to work together as partners in caring for their infants, adds the AAP.
“There’s a reduction in conflict over housework between partners and a stronger parenting alliance,” says Dr. Montez.
These findings speak to the lived experiences of families across the country, many of whom say they need more time to recoup and adjust before going back to work. Though moms take 11 weeks of leave on average, many report that it took around 13 weeks before they felt bonded with their baby and 21 weeks to adapt to their new role as a parent, What to Expect’s survey found. For non-birthing partners, who take an average of five weeks of leave, many say it takes around eight weeks for them to feel connected to the baby and feel involved in family responsibilities.
Paid family leave benefits people without kids or who have older kids too, since it would offer paid time off for workers to care for a sick or injured loved one or for workers to manage their own illness or injury. “At some point, we all need to take time off from work because of an illness,” Dr. Montez says.
What you can do to help support universal paid family leave
Having major players like the AAP join the conversation about universal paid leave is a big deal. But the announcement alone won’t change the current policies. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Brush up on your state and company’s current policies. Know what’s available to you, so you’re not leaving any paid time off on the table.
- Contact your Congressional representative and your state’s senators. Ask them to support legislation that provides paid family and medical leave. The What To Expect Project has advice on how to reach out.
- Vote. Cast your support for local, state and federal leaders who support PFML and other policies that make life easier for families. (Election Day is coming up on Tuesday, November 5!)
- Share your story. If you weren’t able to take paid leave after your baby arrived or know that you won’t have access to paid leave in the near future, talk about it. “Share your story with lawmakers or write an op-ed,” Dr. Montez says. “Sharing your experience is really powerful.”
Was this article helpful?
