By: A.M., IANtB Science Editor
We don’t usually get political here, but since the U.S. is the only Western country without any form of paid parental leave, Jamie and I have both discussed our curiosity about its possible effects on breastfeeding success. In a 1999 article in Demography, Roe et al. demonstrated a positive correlation between parental leave and duration of breastfeeding.
So far, three states have instituted a paid parental leave policy. D.C.’s program would be the most generous so far.
From the Washington Post:
The District would offer 16 weeks and unprecedented coverage for workers’ salaries and hourly wages: 100 percent of pay for those making up to $52,000 a year.
Employees who earn more than that would be eligible for $1,000 a week plus 50 percent of their additional income, up to a maximum of $3,000 per week.
BUT ALSO, D.C. is an interesting case because, since it is not a state, most of its laws are decided by Congress, with very little real representation. This means that, potentially, all Americans have a say in the fate of D.C. parents.
If that is the case — or otherwise, even — I am going to learn more and do a more comprehensive write-up on this issue, so our readers can be well-informed and affect real change.
