Dear Presidential Aspirants,
Imagine this scenario for a moment: A mother undergoes a C-section and returns to work just six days after giving birth. Yes, merely six days after major surgery, she is forced to leave her newborn in someone else’s care to pay her bills. This mother, still healing and experiencing physical pain, is back at her job, struggling to manage her stitches while longing to nurse her baby. With no designated space to pump breast milk at work, she dashes to her car every couple of hours or even runs to a nearby diner to store her milk.
Is this really the American way? Is this the land of freedom and opportunity, or are we falling short?
This is not just a political issue; it transcends party lines. It is not solely a women’s issue or a men’s issue. It is a family issue that affects nearly every working household in America, regardless of socioeconomic status. Families are being forced to separate from their newborns before they even get a chance to bond. Parents are caught in a vicious cycle of choosing between their loved ones and their financial responsibilities.
Many families are resorting to drastic measures—cashing in retirement funds and facing bankruptcy—just to survive. They are burdened with the rising costs of child care while trying to keep up with daily expenses. The most crucial moments for both parents and their infants are being lost due to a lack of support, preventing the formation of important bonds that are anticipated for nine months.
This plea is not about seeking a handout; it is about fulfilling our moral obligation to support families. The stories of mothers and fathers who have to leave their newborns mere hours after birth must come to an end.
In the United States, nearly 4 million babies are welcomed into the world each year, with about 334,000 born each month. That’s roughly 11,000 newborns every day. As Blake Mycoskie wisely stated, “The power of a single idea, acted upon, can change people’s lives.”
So, I ask you, future leaders: Are you ready to take action?
It is high time for America to adopt a paid family leave policy and join the rest of the world in supporting families during these critical early moments.
Sincerely,
A Working Mother of Four, One of Millions Who Have Faced the Unthinkable
In summary, the call for paid family leave is a pressing issue that impacts families across America. It is a matter of health, well-being, and the fundamental right of parents to bond with their newborns. This is a crucial time for future leaders to prioritize family support over political division.