As a happy but sleep-deprived new dad, Seth Meyers takes a closer look at paid family leave in the US, he finds that it’s rare – like sleep, although it’s beneficial for both babies and parents. Governor Cuomo just signed a bill into law, but state laws apply to only 60% of workers, and only 6 states have them, clearly something must be done.
Americans are proud of our accomplishments. Some new parents brag that it is a matter of hours between the time of delivery and baby’s first day care, as they rush to occupy the cubicle once more. Of course ‘socialist countries’ (or other developed nations) provide a national paid family leave, for everyone. Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria allow between 15 weeks to a full year for both parents, along with their free medical care. Aren’t you glad you don’t live there!
They say post-partum depression, sleep deprivation, and long-standing behavior problems in the kinder can be headed off by paid leave – but like our national gun statistics, we take pride in being number one!