In the U.S., people go into debt or even lose their jobs simply for having a baby or caring for a family member (Paid Leave+US, n.d.). As of today, 2022, the United States remains the only industrialized country without paid parental leave and medical leave at the national level (Scholar, 2016). As a mother, and single mother, my parental leave was not only too short, forcing me to leave my newborn 12-week old baby in the care of someone else because I had to return to work due to my, as California titles it, disability leave, was over. Even during the 12 weeks, it was a struggle to pay bills, and now the care of a newborn with the limited disability pay received, and the hurdles one has to jump through to receive it. 

 In 1993, the U.S. adopted FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act), which provides important job protection by guaranteeing 12 weeks of time off to care for a child, family member (First 5 LA, 2020).  Studies show paid parental leave increases women’s participation in the workforce and reduces gender pay gaps… such policies also recognize the work and economic contribution that parents make by caring for their children, as well as the time it takes to recover physically and emotionally after giving birth (Francis et al., 2021). 

I believe California families should not have to stress and go into debt when taking care of their newborn child. Californians should feel supported and not fear losing their employment, income, housing, all due to no parental leave protection.