The first and most important thing an individual can do is to become an individual again, decontrol the self, train the self as to what is going on and win back as much independent ground for one’s self as possible”–William Burroughs and Vita (I redid the pronouns that (‘Will B‘ had used he him etc)
WOMEN BIRTH THE WORLD AND PARENTING IS A JOINT EFFORT
In 2008 when I first wrote about this topic on Vita Classic, (It is no longer available online on my site, (Very kindly I shared it at the time on the Blogher site). At that time I wrote it, two of the most developed countries in the world did not have paid maternity leave. Australia was sadly one of them as was America.
MOVING FORWARD ON MATERNITY/PARENTING LEAVE
Things have moved forward at a recognition/discussion level In Australia and the USA. In Australia a ‘baby bonus subsidy was introduced for several years, that I discuss below . However, this attitude of women’s work and men’s work has got to stop! Let’s all step up and take onboard we are NOT LIVING in the 1950’s anymore and in fact for some time NOW!
Gender based roles are just NOT helpful anymore or probably ever! How do we do really know who ate the apple? We are in the women’s century NOW It is so last century to talk about gender roles and merit! (another whole can of worms there I will address at another time. Maternity/parenting leave should not be regarded as a luxury that both parents have to fight about and for!
WHO SETS THE AGENGA WHO CREATES TRADITION?
‘Traditionally’ it has been the mindset and still in many cases is identified ‘as a ‘mothers’ issue. Which gives a poor representation of what actually parenting can be! Some are quite taken with a really innovative sensible belief that it takes a village to bring up a child. As we can see below it can work very successfully (I will leave that bigger issue for another day! But it can work!
http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2016/s4534002.htm
GENUINE ACCESS SUPPORT FOR ALL
Genuine. access to childcare support is still a tedious/mind numbing discussion in the most part, that is still dragging on not just in Australia ‘the lucky country but in America ‘the land of the free’
Taylor mentions this as well below in his article from 2014! Which is extraordinary given the struggle most families experience managing a family and ‘trying to live the dream’ as goes this American catch cry! No wonder voters cannot see the forest for the trees during this intense American election. Cycle!
BABY BONUS AND SAME SEX MARRIAGE
In Australia the current government are floundering about and have shown no conviction to voting on same sex marriage and so how long will the maternity leave issue be overlooked. As Elizabeth Warren is aware there will be generations that are just not going to afford a family life it is happening right now!
AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENTS FLIP FLOPPING ON PARENTS AND BABIES
During the Liberal Party Howard years, the then Treasurer suggested women have one baby for mum one for dad and one for the country The Then Treasure offered up a ‘baby bonus to so as an incentive! Which was seen as economically good for the country1
PETER TAKES CREDIT FOR BABY BOOM
He in fact took credit for a new baby boom in Australia in 2007! Which has really big issues that I will take up at another time! Hmm clearly he has never birthed a child and clueless to how hard that actually is! Again we see men dictating the rules about such matters!
http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2007/s1963979.htm
It is questionable whether it really worked as women/ parents are no closer to useful support on a practical level or as it stands today there is no longer the baby bonus.
The current government with support from the opposition no longer see it as useful and not economically viable for the country!! Hmm tricky if one now has 3 children under 7 to feed and work part time in a growth corridor, with little government infrastructure to assist, bringing up the next generation!
http://womenandtech.com/infographic-paid-maternity-leave/
Part 2 coming soon on this really hot issue
Just in case you have not seen Julia’s Speech before here it is below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOPsxpMzYw4
Mmm, we mean it when we say we have zero tolerance for misogyny nor hypocrisy, from men who think women should be doing the ironing and staying at home being a ‘house wife” Let’s all move forward and consider US ALL as EQUAL in the world!
Vita