Open AccessDon’t Leave U.S. Behind
Author(s) -
J L Arellano
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
sage open
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.357
H-Index - 32
ISSN - 2158-2440
DOI - 10.1177/2158244015581553
Subject(s) - pace , legislation , family leave , state (computer science) , work (physics) , developed country , scope (computer science) , parental leave , family life , political science , sick leave , economic growth , sociology , medicine , economics , law , environmental health , population , mechanical engineering , geodesy , engineering , algorithm , computer science , geography , gender studies , programming language
This article examines the pace at which Federal and Statelegislation were implemented to provide working parents and caregivers the ability totake time off for the birth or adoption of a child, to care for the elderly, sick ordisabled family members, and others in need of care. Compared with many industrializednations, the United States ranks alongside the least generous countries in terms ofproviding a balanced lifestyle between work and family life. For instance, the UnitedStates does not even provide national paid family leave. This article provides thehistory, purpose, and scope of the Family and Medical Leave Act, and laterimplementations of State programs. Furthermore, this article will present a brief surveyof the paternal, maternal, and parental leave policies of other countries and willprovide suggestions for changing existing federal policies to provide a more conducivefamily and work balance for employees