Does America want Moms to stay at home?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-02-2005
Does America want Moms to stay at home?
987
Mon, 12-12-2005 - 11:28am
It was actually dh that suggested that America (gov't I suppose) wants Moms to stay at home. From what I have learned from these boards daycare is hideously expensive and maternity leave is very short. Many have said they couldn't afford to work because of daycare costs. Compare this to Canada where we have $7 a day daycare and Quebec is increasing maternity leave to 2 years at 55% pay or 1 year at 75% pay in January. With the $7 a day daycare Moms can easily afford to work, and with the paid maternity leave Moms can easily afford to stay home. It seems that in the states you're 'forced' into situations because it's your only option. Can't afford daycare? Stay at home. Maternity leave too short or have to work to support the family? Go back to work. Would any of you prefer if it would be easier financially to make either decision like it seems to be in Canada or are you fine with how it is?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:22pm
Don't get me started on how idiotic NCLB is.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:26pm

No, I've never claimed to be middle class.

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Avatar for myshkamouse
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:26pm
Well that's your opinion. But clearly doesnt give any weight to you "can't pick and choose" argument. As we could...if people were willing to value this. Clearly those American's who are in a position to make or change policy don't value this and would agree with you. I disagree strongly and think its shameful; short sighted; anti women *and* children not to mention bad for business in the long run.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:29pm

Let me guess.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:31pm
Don't you think society footing the bill for longer maternity leaves is rightly very far down the national priority list?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2004
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:39pm

Personal bankruptcy is about protecting families from financial ruin. Previously, the bankruptcy system worked to help single mothers because when their exes filed, they could discharge their credit card debts and use the money to catch up on child support.

But the banking industry would like personal bankruptcy to favor them instead. The new & improved version undercuts protection for single moms by making them compete with banks for a share of their exes' income. Since the moms are most often the ones with custody, they're more vulnerable to foreclosure. The bankruptcy system should favor financial stability for parents rather than protecting the income stream of the banking interests.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2005
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:43pm

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Of course they do. Why should they be out millions and millions of dollars every year when they did nothing to create the bankruptcy? Why should they have to pay the consequences of other people's actions?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2005
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:43pm
oh yeh, and don't forget unless they have a nice money making husband who says yes of course dear, whatever you want...& i'll pay for your car & cell as well...hate it but their aren't any of those in my house...
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2004
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:44pm
We already do pay for it. But we pay for the damage control, not the prevention that would be cheaper in the long run. Prisons are one of the strongest growth industries in modern times. What is "The War on Drugs" all about but dealing with the street crime created by the clueless dead-enders who used to be little kids who weren't invested in? One out of 10 or 11 of all adults is an alcoholic. Who do you think is a more likely candidate, one of your colleagues or a member of the underclass? It goes on and on. We cannot avoid the costs.
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-29-2004
Thu, 12-15-2005 - 12:46pm
I don't know what chart or definition you like to use to determine who's middle class. But let's just say that if we didn't both work, we wouldn't last long. To me, that's a fairly useful standard. As to who pays for what, please see the post I just sent.

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