Let's Talk About Maternity Leave and Feminism || Mayim Bialik

[@parpar3]

In Austria, parents have a right for paid maternity leave for up to 3 years (plus 8 weeks before and after the birth). The time can be shared between the mother and the father. Parents have also the right to reduce their working hours until the child is 7. During maternity leave, the employee is protected from being fired.

[@michaelaboudova1016]

Same in Czech republic. It is a pity most people here don't realise what they have a still can complain about something.

[@fionafiona1146]

In Germany one of these 3 years is paid, they can be taken until the child turns 10 but must be taken in 4 chunks or less.

[@subboxjunkie8298]

Wow that sounds amazing!

[@OdelliaFirebird]

Wish this was everywhere!

[@oshitirwin5264]

Yeah but sort of a rediculous amount of leave you still have a job and if you need 3 years off you should maby step down from your job

[@cinland86]

I just quit my job after having a baby because there's no way I would leave my baby in a daycare and having to use all my salary to pay for the place. The US has one of the worst maternity leave policies of the whole world.

[@mnmz8393]

Shouldn't have abandoned your husband, just to get more Gov welfare...

[@aliciaarroyo6]

I totally understand this. I quit my full time job and went down to part time opposite shift as my husband. Daycare and health insurance combined we’re going to be my whole monthly paycheck. I didn’t see the benefits of working so someone else could get the joy of raising my baby.

[@cinland86]

@@aliciaarroyo6 that was exactly my situation!! Plus this time with our kids will never be back!😊

[@audreyandlinCompany]

No, China has the worst maternity leave policies. It's called "forced abortion."

[@mnmz8393]

@coley M I suppose, since, just like the creator of this video, you're economically illiterate, it would seem that way to you.

[@sarahnorman3307]

Loving all the men here acting like they didn’t come from a woman. Listen, we live in a two income kinda world now. So that means for most people to stay out of poverty they need two incomes and for the world to you know, keep going we need woman to have babies. Saying that you shouldn’t be paid a decent maternity leave because you had a baby is eleteist. Woman need time to recover, they need job protection, the babies (our future) need their mothers in those fragile beginning months. Should employers carry the full cost? Maybe, maybe not. Either way maternity leave with pay is absolutely Necessary.

[@Hadesfirst]

give me one reason the employer should carry the full cost. that just means hiring a women is twice as expensive as hiring a man, why should they do that when the women doesnt bring in proportionatly more money than the male counterpart?

[@patrickharding4831]

Feminism is the reason we live in a 2 income kinda society in the first place.

[@msr1116]

@@patrickharding4831 .....Much of the need for two incomes stems from basic but unavoidable costs of living which have risen far higher than overall inflation rates since the 1950s, and wages have remained more or less stagnant since the late 1970s. In short, expenses that ate up 50% of after tax income 60-65 years ago rose to at least 75% about 2 decades ago. Now it's likely closer to 80%.

[@subboxjunkie8298]

@@patrickharding4831 what about wage inequality? If you add to an unpaid maternity leave how is it fair for the mother and child? The mother has to decide if keeping her job and continue to receive a salary is more important or provide the care that the infant needs is the priority. That shouldn't be a decisive factor in a "1st world country".

[@mnmz8393]

@@subboxjunkie8298 how bout the woman stays with her husband to raise the child in a proper environment, with increased financial support that is greater because men work harder than women do, and so, earn more. Instead of women choosing to destroy their family in favour of getting Gov money for having children. There is no "wage inequality" in the political sense. Children need their fathers more than there mother's after the initial birthing and feeding stages of child-rearing.

[@KatrinvanElten]

Nice video! In Germany you got at least 6 weeks before and 8 weeks of after giving birth. But if you like you can stay at home for 12 month (and the daddy can stay 2 month extra) and get parental benefits paid by the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs. After that you can go back to your job, if you like. I think, that's a pretty good solution.

[@esbastien1]

Except that the money we get from the state can just be described as Pocket money, nothing more.

[@KatrinvanElten]

@@esbastien1 I guess 65% to 100% of your net income is not that bad...

[@esbastien1]

If you earn nearly nothing, I guess. I lost 1K netto a month. And the maximum you can get is between 1,6 and 1,7K a month (what is in Germany considered as living in poverty, officially published figures). It's pocket money and you have to rely 100% on your husband 's money...

[@KatrinvanElten]

@@esbastien1 up to 1700€ (IMO it's up to 1800€, but I guess that doesn't matter) every month for a year, while you stay at home... Pocket money?? In many countries you get nothing at all. I don't think, that you can quit working for a whole year and expect to get 100% of your net income, just because you are having a baby. And it should be pretty normal, that the husband is paying at least a part. It's his baby too...

[@dorosdefy9115]

@@esbastien1 Less than 1600€ income for a 3 person household is considered poor. So if you receive 1700€ Elterngeld, and still have your husband's money, plus Kindergeld, plus Steuerfreibeträge etc. I don't understand why you are 100% dependent on his money and/ or poor. BTW, for a 4 person household it is less than 1800€ (officially published figures).

[@susieenglish302]

Maternity leave in the UK has been standard for years - in some cases up to a year plus 2 weeks paid paternity leave. We also get special leave for emergencies - some companies pay for this. Go 🇬🇧

[@TheUnboxerMan]

Susie English in Denmark you get a year + 2 weeks, all companies pay for this. It’s the law.

[@FlipFlopMopatop]

The UK company I work for gives 6m full pay (recent change) and 3m half pay and an optional 3m no pay. My Romanian colleague was whinging as back home she would have had two years paid 🤷

[@stianthomassen6693]

In Norway we get 12 full paid months. 9 and half for the woman and 2 and half for the man + the man get 2 Weeks when the child is born, not always paid, but usually. The 12 months can be extended by going down to 80% of full paid salary. And most work allow you to take more unpaid time if you want to extend over this.

[@stianthomassen6693]

The man can also take more of those 12 months, up to 9 of them. The woman must have 3 of them in the beginning just like the man must have 2 and half of them in the end. Usually it’s the last the one that happen.

[@FlipFlopMopatop]

@@stianthomassen6693 but the pay is not as good.

[@angiegracewellnessfreedom7544]

I went back to work 9 days after I had both of my girls. I had my own business and knew if I didn't go back, my business may suffer. I didn't have any help besides my husband, who was in medical school. I appreciate this video.

[@rocioz5687]

I'm a mother of three kids under 6. The first one was born while I worked in the U.S, where maternity benefits were limited, second one I was a stay at home mother and for the third one working in Europe. You are totally right in all you said.

[@darussianping61]

In Europe is between 1-4 years of maternity leave. USA has a lot to learn.

[@rickybobby9797]

Says the guy from the EU that is slowly collapsing!

[@AlexandraTama]

@@rickybobby9797 He is right, I love Europe.

[@ayumnemonic]

@@rickybobby9797 come to Finland (or any other member country) and see for yourself how "EU is collapsing " 😂 The fact that the Brits are kinda stupid and did not check what it would mean for them to get out of the EU, BEFORE they voted in the referendum has nothing to do with stability of the EU. Also, watch The Great Hack on Netflix. You will understand what really happened and why the US has a pumpkin for president. 😂

[@juliavieth5150]

Yes, nur you are not get paid for 3 years, just 8 Weeks.

[@automnejoy5308]

It's not a matter of "learning." What most Americans want doesn't align with what the government is doing, or not doing. Special interests control politicians in the US more than the people do. This is the frustrating reality and why basic problems can't be addressed.

[@hazan4ikS]

In Russia paid maternity leave lasts one-and-a-half years (78 weeks) and also one-and-a-half years of unpaid leave. Moreover, maternity leave lasting from 140 to 156 days is paid at a rate of 100 per cent of salary. Also a father or grandmother can take it as main care giver)

[@fionafiona1146]

Grandmothers are quite difficult to register in Germany, if the mother is of age.

[@automnejoy5308]

So nice that Russia can have such rights while backing the most inhumane president the US has ever had, who does everything he can to strip health care rights for Americans.

[@fionafiona1146]

@@automnejoy5308 That's a basic soviet principle, make people, offering state indoctrination and (as of this week) cut off alternative information (internet) access. Civil liberty might be the core narrative at this different attitude, it takes less effort of Russian politicians to implement any political program (evidence based or not).

[@Sarah-nd2gy]

In UK you can take up to a year off. 6 weeks of that is at 90% and thereafter at a reduced rate until 9 months, all of it statutory pay and therefore supported by the government. The company can choose to pay more than this (my company for example pays 3 months at full pay before dropping to statutory and I know other companies who will pay 6 months full pay). It's not the most time off or most pay in the world, but it's definitely better than a lot of countries get. Makes me realise how lucky I am to live here

[@atanasiamandru8188]

I’m from Romania. We get paid maternity or paternity leave for 2 years (or 3 years if the baby is handicapped)... but the state pays for maternity leave, not the employer... and this only applies if the parent taking leave has worked (and paid taxes) for at least 12 months within the last 24 months prior to the baby being born.

[@outsideworld76]

If the state pays for it that's communism. The state steals it from the productive members of society, also those who don't have children. Theft is theft.

[@ayumnemonic]

@@outsideworld76 let me check if I have understood correctly: so, it was OK for your mum NOT to get any kind of support when she gave birth to you and she took time off from work to do it? And it is OK for you, being a productive member of society, not to get a decent pension once you can not work any longer? Because that's how pension system works you know...you need younger people to go work in order to pay for your pension. So...these younger people need to be born first. That's kinda how it works if you are not living in the woods on your own.

[@ayumnemonic]

@@outsideworld76 WOW! Way to go misogynist! 😂 You do realize that you are talking also about your grandmother, mother, sister, daughter and so on... Right? 😂 I am sure they will be happy to know what you think about them 😂

[@outsideworld76]

@@ayumnemonic Yeah... having womens best interest in mind makes me a misogynist xD. Most women who are not indoctrinated by the religion of feminism do agree with my opinion. They are much more happy with being around their children than having to go to some shit job which they will never become really good at. Some people have careers most people just have a job. You should make sure you don't choke on blue pills.

[@automnejoy5308]

outsideworld76 People who don't have children are paying taxes for school programs and infrastructure... Are you against that? Because this is no different. You are part of a society and pay for the betterment of society as a result. Investing in the quality of the early development of children will benefit you in many ways down the road whether you personally have them or not. You're going to be relying on younger generations to keep a well-adjusted society going. Only a short-sighted fool cannot grasp this.

[@evz.1469]

Can you please start doing a podcast because topics like this and other topics you talk about need to be spoken about more and your an influencer ❤️ your videos are always inspiring please never stop x

[@lorelaigilmore813]

I hope she does something about how workers' compensation works in the US and some history. It's atrocious.

[@miscellaneousmoon327]

I would be waiting rabidly for each podcast, I can listen to her talk about anything, I love it!

[@evz.1469]

@@miscellaneousmoon327 I know!!

[@maryroller4417]

Awesome video! I remember a time, if you were pregnant you didn't get hired, and if you were already a employee, you got fired. If you were in high school, you dropped out. My class sort of changed up that one, they got married had babies and graduauted.... believe it or not, 40 plus years later those couples are still married. The one girl who dropped out, married and stayed married also. Kudos to you for helping women who breast feed.

[@rafaelamarvel]

Mayim, I'm from Brazil and big fan of your work. You are inspiration to me. This is a matter of the utmost importance. I see how much we still need to move forward. I'm not a mother, not yet, but I see coworkers experiencing difficulties like this that should already be nonexistent and sincerely make me want to postpone a pregnancy. It is arduous and tiring, but I deeply wish that the right we have is granted to us without regret by employers, and that it is achieved as soon as possible!

[@rickybobby9797]

You don't have a "right" to resources that others generate....That's why socialism ALWAYS fails. Holy cow woman, you should know this being from South America!

[@superlibbyanne]

Omg, I had no clue that USA didn’t get a full year like Everyone in Canada. You can even share with your hubby. Paying taxes here seem high till you get sick, lose your job or have a kid...lol . To the United States seems like a great place to live until it doesn’t. :(

[@naomiann8527]

superlibbyanne it’s actually a choice between12 or 18 months but the cheques r smaller for the 18 months since it’s the same amount over all

[@superlibbyanne]

Naomi Ann I didn’t think it would be worth pointing that part out. Matters not, very sad that Americans don’t have this. Also embarrassed I didn’t know till now.

[@lauramohr9071]

I had my first child in 2004. In the US the law requires employers to keep your position or one like it for up to 12 weeks. After that they no longer need to hold your job. The only “pay” I received was the two weeks of vacation I had after that I was off with no pay. I worked at for a large company with good benefits and yet they didn’t offer women more. Maybe it’s changed since then but I don’t think so.

[@H000NA]

In Switzerland we have 14 weeks. Let that sink in

[@p1rat3ch1ck]

My first child I used short term disability for "maternity leave" and was laid off while I was gone. Since they hired me 32wks pregnant I didn't qualify for FMLA (the part that protects your job for 12 weeks). I literally left a job to go to a "better job" for 7 weeks and then get laid off. My 2nd baby I worked somewhere where there was zero short term or maternity leave and so I used all my vacation to take 2 weeks off. And fortunately had a supervisor who let me work from home another 5 weeks.

[@natedennis1371]

I've been under the impression (or have worked at places that only protect the woman's job) that maternity leave isn't paid. I've always felt that a woman should still be paid during her maternity leave even if it's a little less than normal. I completely agree that it should be the society's responsibility to pay for women's maternity leave (much like universal health care). Thank you for posting this video, Mayim. 💜

[@crochetingcanuck]

In Canada you get a year. Employers often hire temp employees to cover the positions. The job postings are usually listed as temp or mat leave positions so people know it's not permanent before even applying and letting them go when the woman comes back isn't a big issue.

[@hailinabet5525]

Mayim, I love you so much! Truly. Like crazy love you! I worked as an ICU nurse up until my water broke, two weeks early. then had a C-section. Then went back to work, full time, after 6 weeks. I had no choice, my husband was a waste of skin.

[@pipprocter7638]

Wow, this is so different from here in NZ. If you have been with the business for 6 months prior to babys birth, they must hold your job open for 6 months addtionally there is 22 weeks paid parental leave. I am so grateful for this.

[@aterrill18]

I have 3 children and I've never had a paid maternity leave. I've had to save as much money as I could each time and I took 6 weeks unpaid each time. It was never enough time, but I couldn't afford more. It's really hard. I hope that someday the law will require paid family leave like so many other countries already have (every other developed country in the world, in fact - and all but two or three undeveloped countries!).

[@DrGingerHamster]

Why should I pay for your choice to have children?

[@GraceTheBabbler]

James Von Maxwell who do you think is going to pay your pension when you get older?

[@DrGingerHamster]

@@GraceTheBabbler Me since I've invested in my 401K and contributed much money to Social Security. Who is going to pay for yours?

[@aterrill18]

@@DrGingerHamster Paid family leave is one of those things that benefits society as a whole. When a woman has the ability to recover and heal from childbirth and invest that time to bond and take care of her little one, she will be able to be a better worker when she returns and has all kinds of benefits for the baby - even later in life (it makes kids healthier, less likely to drop out of school, and even richer later in life)! Check out this article to see all of the benefits to everyone - not just mothers: www.workingmother.com/indisputable-reasons-why-paid-family-leave-is-good-for-babies-parents-companies-and-everyone-else#page-4 Honestly, I was actually really lucky to have the 6 weeks I had. It was hard to save the money to do it and hard to return even that quickly, but so many women have to return right after giving birth before their bodies have even healed - and that doesn't benefit anybody.

[@DrGingerHamster]

@@aterrill18 Fair point. Now please help me understand how this benefits me as part of society as a whole. Thanks.

[@chrissycopeland8064]

I like that companies are starting to offer paternity leave so husbands and wives can practice being new parents together.

[@fionafiona1146]

Norway actually allots joined parenting leave per baby (3 months of wich have to be taken by each parent (or not at all) , while the rest can be distributed freely)

[@winstonsolipsist1741]

Unfortunately, I have heard that because of family medical leave act and the metoo movement, many small to mid-size companies are doing the opposite and quietly steering away from hiring women under 40 and men with wives of childbearing age unless they are extremely well qualified. :(

[@AndrewMcClenning]

Or just call it PARENTAL LEAVE.

[@helRAEzzzer]

@@AndrewMcClenning Parental leave is also called "family leave" and is already an umbrella term that includes maternity leave laws, paternity leave laws, and adoption leave laws. Since there are different regulations for each type of parental leave, it would be to vague in a legal situation to use the umbrella term.

[@agees924]

I thin’ it’s very important that men get equal amount of parental leave. Because otherwise companies won’t want to hire women.

[@MyPassionFurPaws]

So glad to be in Canada. I got 55% of my income for 12 months after having my daughter. Then we decided I would just be a stay at home mom rather than my cheque go to daycare costs. I could not imagine leaving my baby and going back to work 8 or 10 weeks after giving birth. Nope.

[@Evija3000]

I think leaving that soon is unnatural.

[@abbieaulds8250]

My pp anxiety until like 4 months would not let me take a shower without worrying. There is no way I could have gone to work after 8 weeks!

[@ziutasow2244]

Right?!? The state’s sound like a fucking wild jungle with no regulated maternity and no healthcare. Like how the fuck do people live down there.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@ziutasow2244 Why should I as an employer pay for your choice to increase your carbon footprint?

[@hpyrkh3]

Well, your unemployment rate is 5.6%, while in the US it is 3.7%. No free lunch.

[@paulaincanada4831]

Here in Canada, you pay into employment insurance. When you have a baby you get one-year maternity leave and paid by employment insurance (not the employer).

[@hpyrkh3]

I like this idea.

[@DrGingerHamster]

I like that idea. Or, a pre tax fund you can pay into and when you take the time for the baby, you essentially pay yourself. Yeah, I like that idea.

[@fionafiona1146]

@@DrGingerHamster That's risking people who are disenfranchised, providing less for their children and continuing their circle of poverty, especially when they receive substantially worse education (including Sex Ed and economics, let alone tax incentive use) in the USA.

[@faithittillyoumakeit4050]

Same way in Brasil. But we only get 3 months off.

[@kateNwilson]

A genius idea

[@a.s.1765]

In Germany, you can leave for up to 3 years, which is great! You also can share that time with your spouse.

[@abbieaulds8250]

I am 10 months pp with my first and I am just now fully feeling like myself. Post partum anxiety was really bad the first 4 months I am so glad I was able to stay home.

[@theabstractsunflower7]

Love that you took time to explain everything, our view and needs, your views, and the employer’s views and needs.

[@Momosjunkgarage]

Women also need time for postpartum depression and anxiety.

[@muurrarium9460]

Some women get those no matter how much 'time' they get. Treating them is a whole other ballgame....

[@Momosjunkgarage]

@@muurrarium9460 Yes, because it doesn't always pop up right after the baby is born. It could be months down the line, long after a mother has finished her maternity leave, and there is no telling how long postpartum depression and anxiety will affect her.

[@anandajanowiak8151]

Hip, hip, hooray, Mayim! We need more people contributing to this discussion. Thank you!!!

[@MyJewishMommyLife]

100% agree, maternity leave (or the lack of an adequate one) in the US is debilitating for women, just as men intended it.

[@rebeccaweinstein6560]

Are you happy being a radical feminist?

[@English_for_EGE]

The only videos on utube which I didnt give up watching. Mayim's irony and sense of humour is what attracts me most.

[@Chris_L034]

for a majority of women when they do have their 1st child, when they do go back to work, they find themselves making just enough money to cover daycare.

[@Carjamrac]

Chris L. Right. Better to be a SAHM if possible.

[@lorelaigilmore813]

Near Cleveland Ohio 19 years ago I was paying $660 per month.

[@fionafiona1146]

In Germany that's usually(federal) state sponsored but recently the "conservative" party decided to pay 100€ per child per month, were there is no daycare available (excluding people who are less skilled in navigating paperwork).

[@Chris_L034]

@@Carjamrac or at least wait until theyre well established in life before having kids.

[@junglepitts]

@@Chris_L034 that isn't always possible because birth control and abortions are frowned upon by many. Women can never fucking win no matter what situation we are put in.

[@kayteebaker7411]

Currently on maternity leave with my 2nd baby. In Canada we have 2 options for time off that is paid for through employment insurance. You can take a year off and be paid 55% of your wage or 18 months at 33% of your wage. Also, as of March 2019 partners are entitled to 5 weeks of parental leave (10 weeks if other parent is taking 18 months off) so there is support at home. My husband took 5 weeks off with me and it was a lifesaver as he was able to get up in the mornings with our 3yo and I was able to rest and recover while taking care of a newborn. In Canada we are also able to split out maternity leave with our partners (6 months each or however you plan to share it).

[@katrinamareen]

I've had 4 kids. With my first, It took me a good two years to feel any normality in myself. After my second, I went back to the gym after 8 weeks, but it was a slow recovery, I had to take it easy for a year due to weak hips and ab muscles. I continued a good exercise program during the third pregnancy, I was healthy, I did spin classes, dance classes, crossfit even. The pregnancy was amazing, the birth was amazing, yet afterwards I felt depleted. I went back to the gym when he was 6 weeks old, and I could only manage a short walk on the treadmill. At 4 months, my hips would not allow me to walk much, and my hormones were all over the place. I was out of breath very quickly. Clearly my body was spending a lot of energy on other things. With my 4th, I had to be careful due to the placenta almost detaching (there is a medical term). I didnt get back to the gym until she was one, and It was quite easy, I was clearly unfit, but I did not struggle near enough as I did so close after pregnancy... and I was fit back then.

[@TheKrispyfort]

I was getting my back up a little partway through, but I like to listen to a person's stance entirely so I continued and am glad I did because your final stance is one I can understand and even support

[@kbrucecarroll]

Come to Canada! We grant maternity leave to all workers for one year, and now you even have the option of spreading the unemployment payments you receive for the 12 months over 18 months, and YOUR JOB WILL BE SECURE AND WAITING FOR YOUR RETURN. That’s right, we figured out decades ago that society does benefit from maternity leave, so unemployment payments are not just for the unemployed, but for those on maternity leave as well. And, I should add, there is also paternity leave - a partner can use up to 6 months of the mother’s maternity leave to stay home and help out. And, we also have parental leave if you’re adopting a baby or having one by surrogacy.

[@rickybobby9797]

Says the country who's medical research and technology is largely funded by the US.....oh yes, along with security as well!

[@DrGingerHamster]

And you pay what percentage of your salary in income taxes?

[@sparky711choc]

@@DrGingerHamster It isn't about what you pay in taxes, it's about what those taxes give you. For example, Canadians pay HALF what Americans pay for health care (and it's better care!). HALF. So yes we pay more taxes for that but overall we pay less out of pocket for health care. This idea that countries with strong social safety nets are drowning in taxes is B.S. If you add up all the stuff Americans pay for out of pocket vs. what a tax increase pays for, you guys are behind and spending far more overall. Of course Americans have been afraid of the T word since 1776. If even two or three of your Amazon type billionaires actually paid ANY tax, you'd have health care covered. If your country didn't bomb countries for no reason and spend a fortune to do so, you'd have health care and better education.

[@DrGingerHamster]

@@sparky711choc Understood. But either way you look at it, you're still paying whether it is tax, health insurance, etc. There's no free lunch. Elizabeth Warren just released her plan for universal health care. 5 TRILLION dollars per year. The federal budget is less than that in the US. So, effectively, she would double our federal budget. A few rich billionaires won't be sufficient to pay that much money in tax per year, as you can easily calculate.

[@DrGingerHamster]

5 Trillion would be 5 thousand billion. If we had 5 thousand billionaires, and they gave ALL of what they earn or own per year, that would cover that. It is an impossibility to tax these people that much.

[@eivrampablo7740]

Here in the Philippines, if you are employed, you will get a maternity leave benefit (sum of money) from the government. It also applies for paternity leave. And about 2 to 3 months rest for the mothers.

[@shayla3238]

I am Canadian and currently on maternity leave with a 4 month old. I am taking 18 months off and I am paid but the government 33% of my wage. If I only took 12 months I would get 55%. Some employers offer top up pay but I wasn't lucky enough to have this. I hope USA also adopts this policy. I can't imagine being at work again yet.

[@chaosisblond]

Almost, but not quite right. In the US, employers don't have to provide any paid leave. There is a law that requires they must hold your job open if you take unpaid leave for up to 6 weeks (12 weeks for some institutions with greater than 50 employees), HOWEVER most states have what is called "at will employment" where the employer can terminate an employee for any reason, so although they're legally not allowed to discriminate and terminate the employee based on their pregnancy, they can fire them just before they have the baby or soon after and cite another reason (or none at all) and face no repercussions. Most of the stats the Mayim cited in her video were completely wrong, because women in the US DO NOT have access to maternity leave, let alone 10 weeks of paid leave. There have been many studies done that showed that women try to return to work too quickly after birth and injure themselves, many returning to their jobs only days after their labor. Our policies are cruel, and even third world countries have better maternity leave policies than we do.

[@larasmith2931]

🦋I am so thankful to have found something that allows me to never miss a moment with my son. I knew I wanted to work from home

[@ivahristova-kovalska2819]

Two years (used to be 3) paid maternity leave in Bulgaria. Shame on you, USA! Take care of your women and the babies they deliver!

[@nicolecorry2418]

This was really well done. Gives both sides which we don't always here. Small businesses and for that matter all employers are facing a problem too!

[@strangeland4062]

There was no paid maternity leave when I was pregnant. I took FMLA and I was able to use whatever paid time off days I had accumulated. There was no other compensation.

[@hailinabet5525]

I love you so much. I am not a doctorate, but I have been a registered nurse since 1988. And I am a badass, amazing nurse. I love you and your brilliance. I am not vegan, but I respect your choice. I just really love you.

[@87fio]

In Uruguay mother's have 14 weeks full paid. Two of those prior the birth. And then 3 up to 9 months of half time full paid. You can't be fired. And the dad gets ten days full paid. And we are complaining and demanding more because even that is not enough.

[@mangot589]

Fiorella Pastrana that sounds reasonable, BUT who’s doing the paying?

[@mlazarte]

@@mangot589 Government usually, when you have governments that use taxes correctly that happens.

[@JaniceSeagraves]

Amen. Six weeks isn't enough time. Like you, I didn't feel like myself for a year. My daughter just went back to work after her last child turned two.

[@NerdsTravels]

The other party in this equation are the coworkers of the person taking maternity leave. It’s incredibly hard on your coworkers when you’re gone for a large chunk of time... particularly if you work in an area that can’t easily backfill your position while you’re out. While coworkers are not necessarily bearing the financial strain of maternity leave, they *are* bearing the literal strain of maternity leave. I currently have 3 coworkers out on maternity leave, and due to the background checks and sensitivity of my job, it’s not really possible or practical to fill in those missing positions. Which translates to overtime and loss of days off for me, while my coworkers chill at home with their new baby. It can be tough to be positive about essentially re-training those people when they return from their time off, that you’ve had to cover... potentially resulting in the loss of time with your own family.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

Nobody wants to hear that.

[@lijohnyoutube101]

That sounds like your employer has poor practices in place to manage maternity leave and preparation.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@lijohnyoutube101 Right. Hire more people than necessary just to be prepared for when some woman wants time off to go do something that has zero benefit for the company.

[@lorelaigilmore813]

gwynn theule sums it up.

[@karidouglas4137]

As an hr professional, this amazing and I would explore every company to watch this to create a better maternity leave. ❤️💕❤️

[@Theoptimisticbeach]

In Belgium the government pays for your 15 weeks of mandatory maternity leave so you don’t have the issue of an employer having to pay for you. You can add 4 months of parental leave on top of those 15 weeks (also paid by the government). You can take the 4 months full time or break it down part time. I took 5 months off, plus a year where I only worked 4 days out of five, for each of my children ! I don’t know how women do it in the US but I hope one day your stupid politicians finally decide to provide you with fully paid maternity leave. 🙏

[@thatright4985]

How many children did you give birth to?

[@fionafiona1146]

My mom went down to 18h/week in home office (with as little as 5 hours of daycare (starting age 3) and 3 children more would have been difficult,even though she increased her hours to full-time by the time we were in elementary school)

[@hombreavestruzable]

so all your country paid for your personal decision, or is it a national policy to rise the births per year?

[@fionafiona1146]

@@hombreavestruzable It's a national policy that raises births and live time outcomes, by encouraging personal choices (who would have a child because of 30h available daycare and less than their sustained survival covered?) Without these policies many children would have even lower standards of living and the others (whose conception is planed) would have older parents /be fewer.

[@rebeccaweinstein6560]

Any time someone says "the government pays" I cringe. No, taxpayers pay and the government gets more power over our lives. Scary.

[@joycehardy9422]

I’m so glad you addressed this! My children are in their 40s and I had to be back to work in 6 weeks without pay....unless I saved up my vacation hours! You are right about the employers view too. Lots of issues. We have come a long way.

[@aliciaarroyo6]

Joyce Rossi I don’t think it’s come as far as it should. Had my first baby in 2018 and had no paid leave. I did take 12 weeks off. My employer was not to happy about it but by law they had to. In IL if I would have been working for a company with less than 50 employees I wouldn’t have been guaranteed anything. They could have considered it a hardship and let me go.

[@christineschonmayr1247]

Austria has maternity leave for up to !!3!! Years!! (Although the pay shrinks with length of maternity leave) And when you return your employer is obliged to grant you a part time job until the 7th birthday of your child!

[@christineschonmayr1247]

And the government-run mandatory insurance pays!

[@rickybobby9797]

Yes, this is one of the reasons the EU is collapsing....Socialists don't understand basic math.

[@christineschonmayr1247]

The Austrian economy is doing fine! Although we have “socialists“ in our government for decades. National debt in the USA is 108% of the national output as compared to Austria 79% of national output. Now do the math!

[@rickybobby9797]

@@christineschonmayr1247 The EU is collapsing...In fact, all socialized systems in the West are collapsing....It's sad you don't see that....but you will feel it within the next 10 years.

[@linllinas8469]

Podcast please! You truly are so amazing and I'm so happy you bring awareness and knowledge to a lot of different issues.

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

This is why I'm 42 and childless :( The US needs some REAL family values! Time to understand that there's more to life than being a cog in the system.

[@fionafiona1146]

Aren't evident improvements against the line of people using the term "family values"?

[@carah1232]

42 and happily childless here sister... I won't have a baby to leave him all day in daycare or with a nanny and comeback exhausted from work.. to find more unpaid work at home

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

@@carah1232 yes, I feel exactly the same. Even if I was rich enough to afford help or not work, I'd be apprehensive about wanting to raise a kid in a country that doesn't support other families.

[@crochetingcanuck]

This is why I wasn't willing to marry someone who didn't support me staying home if we had children. I want children to raise myself, not to leave to other people to raise. I have two now and money is tight, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

@@crochetingcanuck in today's economy, it's difficult to raise a whole family on one income. Glad you found a way and made the sacrifice.

[@lizmartin4355]

Currently pregnant with twins. This will be my second/third child. Maternity is usually covered through insurance under short term disability. This will pay a portion of your salary depending on your insurance. And the short or long term disability runs in conjunction with with FMLA. FMLA protects your job for 12 weeks.

[@lorelaigilmore813]

Congratulations. What country?

[@IC3YWHITE]

Haha I was watching the Big bang when I got this notification

[@jeffpearson7549]

Very enlightening! Thanks Mayim, love your channel. I'm a firm believer that every pregnancy takes its own course and should be treated appropriately.

[@sheldoncooper4162]

Knock knock knock... Amy! Knock knock knock... Amy! Knock knock knock... Amy!

[@aslisa6631]

You are amazing!! 💗thank you for this reflections! Politicians should listen to this! You should be a social minister!!!

[@ellietrotta8626]

I had 5 months maternity leave and that didn’t feel like enough. Got paid half my salary. When I went back to work my postpartum was kicked in and I quit my job because I was too weepy. I wish we could have 2 years with full pay.

[@mynhardtsaayman1]

Ok I hear, but who will generate that income while you are not doing the work ?

[@MsNathaliabello]

I believe that something gradual like 6 months full pay, 1 year half pay (6 months after the 6 months) and 2 years (1 year after the first) with a minimum pay could be good. Most of this would have to come from the government paid through taxes.

[@fionafiona1146]

@@mynhardtsaayman1 The society profiting from the work, raising a child is? The US pension system, as limited as it is will too brake down with too much demographic change. The wealth a child contributes is difficult to put numbers on but assuming 200k investment in it and (in Germany 200k in subsedised daycare, school supplies and "Free" tuition ect) and (on average 3x) equally as valuable time are returned in taxes alone after 15 years of minimum wage labor... while that's unlikely to be the case for most and people tend to be working 40-60 years (depending on the physical demands of their jobs and health/ education /time requirements).

[@anneb889]

Ellie Trotta Two years of full pay? Who’s paying to cover that? Maybe feminism wasn’t such a great idea. Maybe women should marry their high school sweethearts, push out kids in their fertile 20s, stay home with the kids negating expensive daycare costs, and focus on getting a job and working as the kids are older. Women complained when they stayed home, women complain when they are working moms.

[@katekatics]

Mayim, you found the right words to say about this topic! Thank you so much! This needs to be discussed

[@thehappy_way299]

In Germany you can stay at Home Up to two years and they have to give you your job back! And also the father can stay at home. Or you go back to work and your husband stays at home, if you choose to. I am very thankful for that.

[@Bethlikeaminiegg]

As a first time mum of a 4 month old you is exclusively breastfeeding I'm finding the idea of going back to work when she's 11 months old really hard! I want to go back to work at some point and will work hard when I do but my word am I glad to get 9 months paid leave and another 3 I can take. That time to establish how you want to parent, figure our your whole new identity and life and bond is invaluable. Thanks for the video!

[@cheskydivision]

Lol, 1989 I was fired as soon as my district mgr found out I was pregnant. 1993 worked till Saturday went into labor Monday, ended up hospitalized cause I went back to work after 10 days.

[@DrGingerHamster]

So, this was an immaculate conception then? Or was it a choice...and why should I have to pay for your choices in life.

[@cheskydivision]

James Von Maxwell it's easy to be a jerk about it if your not the one getting pregnant. Guess you don't have a problem with the mother of your child being treated like disposable garbage when you decide to start a family or should she just have an abortion to save her career?

[@fionafiona1146]

@@cheskydivision Indifferent of how children come about, some trough ignorance on their parents part (if catholic schools are a reasonable sample), that's no way to welcome them! Obviously I am blessed to live in a country that mandates a union representative to have a paid "advocacy day" per week, per 100 employees who then can't be fired during their time in that office (usually voted for on a yearly basis). Healthcare in the United States is atrocious too, daycare is abominable and social security is a joke. There are no numbers to put on a mother's care but replacing that "invisible work" would cost in the neighborhood of 60k a year and that investment (over 20 years) can be eased trough a lot of evidence based interventions, all of which are associated with blether health, education and social behaviour (leading to higher taxable income).

[@xXxRaveyxXx]

Im going on mat leave in January. I want to return to work around 5 months, (this is my third, I've hated mat leave each time, not normal in my region/culture) and my employer thought I was rushing it and is encouraging me to take a longer leave. But I like working and luckily where I live my husband can take leave, which he wants. I am so happy I have the choice though. True freedom is having the ability to choose.

[@eveshec]

Australia: 3 months paid leave for the mother (no necessarily at the level of salary) , 2 weeks of paid leave for the father , all paid by the gov. Also the possibility to request up to 2 years unpaid leave . I still.think that should be 5 months for the mothers

[@DrGingerHamster]

All paid for by YOUR TAXES dummy.

[@mbates7456]

James Von Maxwell I’ve never heard anyone here complain their taxes are paying for women to have 16 weeks of paid maternity leave or fathers to have 2 weeks. Better than using our tax money to hire a celebrity tradie to promote vocational education instead of putting the money straight into education or to open a remote detention centre to hold a family of four.

[@DrGingerHamster]

@@mbates7456 Well, I can't argue about how Ozzies choose to spend their tax money. I was simply making the point it is not the government who funds this, it is your tax money. Obviously, you've voted in people that passed this so it must be OK with the voters.

[@alex.profi27]

@@DrGingerHamster i m sorry,but what the actual fuck is your problem?? I ve seen you everywhere in this comment's section What the fuck is america's problem with paying taxes that help others?? Do you fucking hate each other and are raised to be fucking stupid? Are you raised to believe that helping others will not make you rich and being rich is the only thing that matters in life? If yes,then you are fucking disturbed and you should not impose you fucked up values on others

[@kirby-ie2ns]

It’s actually 18 weeks of paid leave in Australia so around 4.5 months.

[@gardengenesis5875]

Thank you for the Great Couses Plus free trial! I really need that!! ❤

[@VictoriaPhoenix]

Lol Czech republic has 3-4 years of paid maternity leave. Sure, the pay aint much, but it's money. more importantly, your employer must be holding the job for you for that time.

[@fionafiona1146]

In Germany you are only paid for a year but can have your job held up to 3 years until the child is 10 (to be taken in 4 or less chunks)

[@shellymc2003]

I am an American living in Cz and I am so grateful for this time off

[@anafloresmendoza4075]

Wow that is amazing! The bond those little humans create with their Moms will help raise very good humans. Those first 3 years are crucial for development too! Happier families means better society.

[@himalayapictures]

I better shift to Czech and have 5 kids 😂

[@minime7375]

Same in Romania. I’d have to add though that the daycare system is not nearly as good as in the states. There’s a downside- businesses are reluctant to hire women, especially with full benefits, if you hire a woman who has 2 children 2-3 years apart, she only has to come back for few months between the babies (if that) but you as an employer have to pay her wage and her benefits (social, healthcare, retirement fund) for 6 to 8 years.

[@reginaantonia2557]

Great video + channel! I've grown up watching you and love that I can continue! Thanks for addressing this topic. Long comment, but here goes! As a single, childless woman working in corporate America, I agree 100% U.S. maternity leave is not good enough in all areas - pay, terms, length of time, etc. Some companies, like mine, heavily cater to the "family" so we do have extra benefits like; "mother's rooms" for private pumping with fridges, phone, etc., alleged "transitional support" from leave back to the office from an outside company that specializes in mental health, etc, but nothing makes up for forcing a new mom to be away from a newborn WAY too soon. Companies will typically hire in a temp for the duration of someone being out but usually can not afford to do that while paying mom a full salary while being on leave, but yes, once mom returns the expectation is that she is able to perform the job the same way as before she went out. For the companies it's a big expense, so most of the time the rest of the team will try to absorb some of that persons tasks - like my team is doing right now. There's so much wrong with this for mom + the team. It perpetuates the thought that not only is the position not necessary since the team can handle it, but if mom is gone a full year there may not be a team left. They're not being paid to do their job plus part of someone else's for that amount of time. Bottom line: We do not live in a society that understands or respects mental & emotional health (WITH OR WITHOUT CHILDREN) enough to be fluid to the needs of an individual. Let's look at a benefit that affects everyone, bereavement. Bereavement at most companies is one day. ONE DAY to grieve and that's for "immediate family" as per the black & white. Thanks. There's no benefits in place for how to deal with aging, ailing parents - even worse if you're at a distance from them. FMLA with pay is not even close to a guarantee. At some point that's something we will all deal with. My point is, companies don't do humanity well. Many think they've nailed it, but it comes down to one thing... revenue + expenditure. It's sad. We need to do better for everyone.

[@StravaigingMTB]

In Scotland, we are pretty lucky in that the time available for maternity leave is 1 year. The pay for that time however, is staggered and the last three months the statutory pay is more or less nothing. We also have the ability to share that mat leave with the supporting partner, this works by splitting the years entitlement in any proportion between the two partners. The problem here comes on an equality basis, it is increasing the potential paternity leave for fathers from two weeks, at the detriment of mothers entitlement. My wife and I split the year between us 50/50 as she is the higher earner. I met many mothers who said they wouldn't want to lose some of there time to allow their partners to do the same. I also know many fathers who said they would not do it even with the ability to share that first year, as the time away from work would detriment their careers adversely, a career hit they were happy to allow the mother to take I may add. I feel that if the career and earnings inequality that is associated with being a mother is to be addressed, then the allowance for maternity leave has to be equal between both parents. If fathers are able to take that year, then both male and females will be on equal footings in the competitive workplace. And any handicap for having taken time off to be a parent will be the same for both genders not just affecting women. The other big obstacle for returning to work is childcare and the affordability of it, but that is a whole other kettle of very expensive fish right there...

[@anandajanowiak8151]

Very well-said.

[@sannabyrd9571]

Great video! I had my first baby 9,5 months ago and will go back to work in 3 weeks. Part of my mat leave was paid by my employer and part by the government (Denmark). It is in the society's interest that there will be new members of it, so it should be part of helping families achieve that. And if people want there to be doctors and nurses to care for them when they're older, they should have no problem with that money coming out of their taxes.

[@ann-kristinolsen8391]

In Norway we have 1 year paid maternety Leave. .

[@evaoppermann7329]

Ann-kristin Olsen In Germany it‘s the same.

[@riase]

@@yossi9811 I'm not jewish but I'd take any jewish person before taking you. They are just much better. They work hard and are ambitious. Seriously,. Even your comment was nonsensical :D

[@angko-pe]

That's not entirely true. You get 49 or 59 weeks to divide between the two parents. And depending on how may weeks you pick (either 49 or 59) you either get 100% pay or 80% pay.

[@itsmeGeorgina]

Ann Kristin Olsen It's clear she wasn't talking about Norway!! And it is NOT the employer who pays during Maternity leave, it is the state

[@sophies8573]

Must be nice living off that oil money...

[@solveigw]

Here in Norway parental leave is 49-51 weeks (depending on wether you choose to receive 100-80% of your normal salary), with the maternity leave starting at week 37 of the pregnancy. 15 weeks are reserved for the mother, 15 weeks are reserved for the other parent, and the rest is "up for grabs". Most families choose that the mother gets those 16-18 weeks as well as her reserved 15. Oh, and the government pays for the parental leave, and your job is safe. We also get paid leave if your child (under 12 yrs) is sick, from 10-20 days, depending on how many children you have.

[@lillianbrooks5129]

I have never worked anywhere here in Michigan that offered paid maternity leave.

[@jasminecartagena9448]

Mother of 2 here. The only paid time I had was my accrued sick and vacation time which was earned time. My first child I went back at 8 weeks and second after 12 weeks. No FML for my second due to working less than a year at current job. Luckily i had it approved time off by my manager. No short term disability because not more than 10 months paid into it. Had to pay health insurance out of my own pocket to remain on current plan during my leave since I am the insurance carrier for my family. Shit is not easy.

[@JayUnXnown]

I appreciate that you made this video 👍🏿

[@mariannecstasy]

In Chile 🇨🇱 we have 6 months maternity leave by law. And we’re fighting for a full year right now ♥️ In my personal experience, I changed my career path to work from home, with my husband’s encouragement and support! There’s no friggin way I’m leaving my baby. So to me the US case of 10 weeks ML is INSANE

[@metilili1376]

Same in Turkey. And giving birth is free. But no allowence for fathers

[@serobinson1]

I’m legit confused, normally I think you research , but ummm ..because in the United state’s there are tons and tons of people who don’t get paid, and if the company has less then 50 people they don’t even have to hold your job because they don’t have to offer fmla. So I feel like maybe you are speaking of high paying jobs or something , because no one in a basic job is getting Paid maternity leave .

[@helenholt1161]

Yes, and it is ironic that she is arguing about the inadequacies of maternity leave requirements that don't even exist in this country.

[@mirandaperdue882]

FMLA doesn't cover paid maternity leave either. It saves your job for up to 12 unpaid weeks. Also look into your state laws bc they might have a leave policy (you of course apply for as well) for those who don't qualify for FMLA bc of the number of employees.

[@poliwagpikachu7077]

I commented basically this as well, and hope we can get her attention.

[@serobinson1]

Miranda Perdue I know what fmla is, that’s why I said without it they don’t have to hold your job. Most states don’t do disability for maternity though.

[@resa31802]

Most women can be (and are fired) when they habe a child.

[@keikomagazinetv9033]

I took a full year of maternity leave for my 1st born and it was great, helpful and necessary. For my daughter I only needed 3 months even know I had a C-section. But I was so glad I had that possibility in Europe!

[@aquajuwel7098]

Google norway and maternity leave. Best country to raise children. I’m so glad i live here....

[@CF.]

Aqua Juwel I’m so happy for you. Raising kids in the USA is expensive and difficult. 😞

[@fionafiona1146]

I am German and when I finish my bachelor, I seriously consider moving to Eastern Europe or Scandinavia (because I am not entitled to monetary support sufficient to avoid student loans and my parents can't afford much more than keeping me housed), having children (at an average income) here is a challenge even with what is left in social support.

[@aimeeanissa9816]

Mayim for president 2020, not kidding. Wise, insightful, smart, well spoken. got my vote

[@dawni3]

This was an interesting video. I am so grateful I live in the UK where my rights to maternity leave are the same whether I work in a supermarket or am the CEO of a company. We need to value mothers and the role of mothering with little babies. We get a basic statutory maternity pay for 39 weeks (about £140 a week) and our job should be secure for that time. This cost comes from the government. Some employers pay additionally on top of this, some 3 months full pay, some 6, it varies sector to sector and company to company. It’s inhumane that the US doesn’t have maternity leave as a basic legal right - that is absurd and downright dangerous! Poor women. Poor babies.

[@themobbit9061]

Thank you for speaking out on your views but with understanding of other choices, and then coming to a compassionate solution that may benefit all. If only our political parties had that same interest. A country that puts profit over investing in the future of our children….

[@leahlane6506]

No solutions were really given in this video but the issues raised were very important. I feel like even other woman in the work place didn’t give a lot of grace to other moms who were pregnant, returning or pumping. It’s crazy to me that we’ve become a two income society but have t adjusted to moms in the workplace. 🙄

[@robinhartman6275]

In Germany you get two years of paid kindercare. It allows mothers to stay home with their children. Fathers also get a percentage of paid maternity leave and time off. Those moms that were working before pregnancy, their employer holds their job position for two years as well. Most all children attend a pre k program.

[@4Kicks1980]

Canada is more generous with time off and payment.

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

Ya, and your taxes are outrageous

[@kiran12346183]

@@tanyamckinnon5376yeah, and we have healthcare. no one dies because they can't pay for it

[@silverbroom02]

Tanya Mckinnon Do you not pay just as much taxes?

[@kiran12346183]

@@silverbroom02 I work and I pay taxes. I don't complain about it because I know it protects my people.

[@tanyamckinnon5376]

@@silverbroom02 no

[@crazymommaofthree2369]

In South Africa your company is required to give you 4 months UNPAID maternity leave you then need to claim Unemployment for that period which is based on your monthly contributions to the unemployment fund over the past 2 years, there are some companies who choose to pay a percentage or your salary in full but you are often then made to sign a contract binding yourself to the company for a certain period of time to ensure your return after your maternity leave has ended, if they pay you a percentage you can claim the rest from the unemployment fund, I received about half or so of my salary for 4 months with my youngest

[@Ninitschga]

I‘m from Germany and currently in my second year of maternity leave with my second baby... 6 weeks to 3 months? Bloody hell... you’re barely back to functioning at home let alone at work - especially if you have a stressful job!

[@seeyouneverp9158]

@Randy Koher chill...

[@stevebaas9570]

Mayim, I love the way you think....Life would be so wonderful meeting someone like you.

[@stiras1]

I'm Norwegian, so I expect that when I have a baby I will take close to a year off work and still getting PAID. Whenever people talk about the US and maternity leave I get so confused. What do you do with the baby when you go back to work??? I would feel really uncomfortable letting someone else take care of my new born.

[@DrGingerHamster]

Subsidized child care. Yes, many women put their children into the care of strangers while they are very very young. Pretty standard here in the US.

[@Mothermochi]

There is no universal subsidized child care in the US. Many people pay an equivalent of their mortgage payments or more on childcare- that is often low quality. Home daycare providers in many states require bare minimum education/qualifications and facilities that require advanced education pay providers close to nothing and rarely are provided benefits to make it a career or pay their loans lol I think people ignore the obvious societal benefits of not creating psychopaths by depriving infants of the fundamentals to nurture their development, but yeah taxes- We don’t want to pay them. That’s not even touching the women’s health /access to affordable healthcare issues here.

[@DrGingerHamster]

@@Mothermochi Very true indeed.

[@jbean9657]

rabbit total truth

[@juliefernandes5801]

Ahh this video speaks to me so much! Thank you for voicing this and encouraging this conversation. A woman’s career should not be sacrificed to have a baby! I am in a position now where I feel like I have to choose and the angst is unbearable. The waste of human capital and intellectual capital because companies can’t be flexible is unreal!

[@Evija3000]

Here in Latvia women can stay at home for up to 1.5 years. There's the maternity leave, in length similar to the one in USA. And then there's parental leave up to until the baby is 1.5 years old (usually used by the mom, but can be used by the dad if the couple so chooses). The income is pretty similar to your regular one and it's covered by the government based on your previous taxes. So while there are some inconveniences in finding someone to substitute for her, the employer doesn't have to pay her a salary which makes them relatively open to the idea. The woman gets to heal and adjust properly and the baby gets to be taken care of by their parent not some nanny, which I'm sure is beneficial for their development. Seriously, who takes care of like a 4 month old baby if the mother is forced to work and she has no grandparents to help her? A nanny? I feel like many people couldn't afford that.

[@Antropovich]

in Estonia for 3 years..

[@fionafiona1146]

I have done that as an au pair and it was difficult for all of us, especially since I was leaving after 6 months to be replaced by 20 other people before the child gets their drivers licence (judging by the neighbours).

[@Evija3000]

@@Antropovich Cool. I wonder if our parental leaves are longer than those of most countries because of how small our countries are and the governments trying to make parenting more attractive.

[@jennifereriksson8010]

🇸🇪 In Sweden you get 480 days of parental leave. It is also mandatory that att least 90 of those days goes to the other parent so both parents get the oportunity to spend time with the child:) we are due in a couple of weeks and the plan is that i am staying home with the baby until january 2021. It will be tough with the financial part, the days worth are based in 80% of what you earn att work and we want to use 4 days a week so i can stay home for as long as possible:) and when the baby is 1 year you havet to use 5 days a week, to make sure that parents does not stay home for too long . A lot of rules but i am so glad to be living in sweden!🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@Seegalgalguntijak]

In Germany, there's the possibility to take parental leave for either parent whoever wants to care for the child in the first 18 moths after birth. But of course, the final time of the pregnancy as well as birth and recovery from birth for the mother is covered by the normal paid "sick leave" (or call it "medical leave", since if everything runs according to plan, nobody's really sick). But the couple can decide on who wants to care for the baby, if it isn't breastfed, so the father could also take these 18 moths off while the mother goes back to work as soon as she's feeling up to it again (and has her husband care for the child). How's that for emancipation?

[@caigner]

In Austria maternity leave is 2 months before birth and 30 months after giving birth. The costs are covered by the social/medical security network. So both women and companies are protected.

[@milenasimova718]

In Bulgaria you get 90% of your salary from the state for the first year of you baby life. Then there is free day care for children up to the time they are ready for school. We are not reach country .... I have no idea why you in the USA do not have such kind of social support!?

[@lijohnyoutube101]

Milena Simova Because the Republicans have brainwashed many to believe that any usage of social benefits is for loser moochers :(

[@fionafiona1146]

Because "communism" has that and is scarry. Germany also pays the parents 200isch € a month (per child, more for 3rd and future children)... Because when the new constitution was set up no one overwrote that part. Recent "neoliberale" politics fail to commit to "human dignity" being made available for all but there used to be social programmes to enable most children to become productive members of society without crippling their parents options.

[@the1ladytammy]

@@lijohnyoutube101 lol you misspelled Democrat.

[@kdog4587]

Because so many Americans don't believe in socialism sadly

[@sarahmerr5951]

So thankful for my 18 months of paid maternity leave. So so so thankful

[@merleperle9075]

I love your videos so much! This is such an important topic. Here in germany we have the option to stay at home with the child for 3 years without lossing our job (each parent) and you get something like 60% of your income for the first year from the state. If your income is lower than a certain amount it'll be more than 60% if you are unemployed you get 300€ each month. You can even split up this money and strechtch the same amount of money over 2 years or work part time and still get some money from the state. I think the american way is really hard and cruel to me. I thougt i could go back to work after a year, but when i held my son in my arms, i knew i needed at least two years with him alone. I would say every mother is different and when you love your job go back as soon as you like, but no mother should be forced to leave her baby with a nanny, in a daycare or whaterver without "feeling" it. Thank you so much for your video Mayim and i wish you and your country the very best, which means someone handles the situation with this Trump-clown and there will be solutions (made by a intelligent and foreward-thinking goverment) for mothers and companys to make a good compromise. (sorry for my english :D )

[@Hufflestitcher87]

I am Australian and I took 14m off with my first (combo of paid leave from work, government payment) and I am on leave now and I will also be off for approx 14m. It works really well. I am lucky to be able to afford it and return only part-time. It takes about 12 weeks back at work for me to feel caught up and functional again. I love my job and my job gets a good employee back. Their great policies around maternity leave and part-time work (not just for mums either, lots of dads work part-time too) mean I will continue to work for them long term.

[@phoebebuffay2303]

Wow. Living in Uruguay and hearing this is really weird... Here, before a woman gives birth she has 6 weeks where she must be paid her full salary, and after giving birth she has 8 weeks again with full salary, that could be extended if a doctor said so! The employer can’t fire her when she returns. Don’t even want to start to talk about our public health system, where woman don’t have to pay an unfair amount of money to give birth. It’s crazy what capitalism does to humans. Peace❤️

[@rickybobby9797]

Capitalism is merely the voluntary interaction between two or more parties....That has nothing to do with the issues of cost. Socialism forces others to pay for services you get---It's called theft...Then again, central and south americans love them some free stuff---am i right?

[@phoebebuffay2303]

Ricky Bobby what do you mean? is it because we have public school, high school and college that aren’t crap? we love those free stuff, yep buddy

[@doihavetohaveachannel8289]

Your country is much more developed than the USA. They are splitting their country into a first world country and a third world country and wondering why there is so much unrest , suspicion and paranoia .

[@carmenirizarry7632]

Excellent topic! Very well presented. Thank you!

[@AgentMucha]

I’m in the UK and had a year plus my holiday entitlement - so 14 months in total. I did keeping in touch days (1 per week) from 10 months, which was just when my breasts could cope with a day away from my baby without pumping for comfort. It was ideal. I can’t imagine why this isn’t the norm. Capitalism relies on new entrants - surely baby making is essential?!

[@rickybobby9797]

Capitalism is metrely the voluntary interactions between two ore more people. Mayim, on the other hand, advocates for involuntary interactions through the force of government. It's tyranny plain and simple.

[@StephieGsrEvolution]

@@rickybobby9797 capitalism is tyranny

[@fionafiona1146]

@@StephieGsrEvolution Capitalism promotes tyranny.

[@fionafiona1146]

Germany founded its social services (petitions, Healthcare, disability pay) on a Wim (communists were poling well in the 1880s) and any demographic change (lower pay/birthrate/immigration) is a serious risk to their survival (and nazis did a lot of baby making laws, some "positive" ones, no one bothered to supersede in the 50s)

[@rickybobby9797]

@@StephieGsrEvolution How exactly are voluntary interactions tyrannical?

[@junglepitts]

When my son was born my job didn't have maternity leave so they said you can just come back when you're ready and I did. Luckily I had my Mother in Law to watch my son but then she had to move when he was about 2 and I had to quit my job because my whole paycheck would have gone to daycare alone and I wouldn't have helped my husband in paying any bills and had to be a stay at home mom. It's hard that I can not contribute money to help pay bills but my husband assures me I help alot by taking care of our son and house. It doesn't stop me from feeling guilty though.