Paid maternity leave: opinion

Paid maternity leave in Australia is a rising issue. Currently there is no mandatory paid leave and it is left up to the employers whether or not to offer their female employees this benefit. I think this is truly unfair.

Women bear the privilege and responsibility to give birth and continue this race and they shouldn’t be put at a disadvantage for that. It is not their choice to hold this responsibility and they should be supported throughout the process financially as well as emotionally. Having paid maternity leave would reduce stress of making the decision to give birth as well as having to worry less during the process whether or not their position at work is slipping. I think it is little to ask for compared to the task that women have to overtake.

Women shouldn’t have to make the decision of having a child one that concerns financial and business aspects. It should be about bringing life into this world and enjoying the journey. They should not be at a disadvantage at the workplace due solely to their gender.

Not only is it a matter of ‘fairness’ but we should want to support women during this time. Australia is an aging society now, the birth rate is depleting and this will soon become a major problem, especially for us as young people, if we don’t do something! There shouldn’t have to be a choice between career and motherhood; it’s just not necessary or justified. The healths of the baby as well as the mother are important and very sensitive during pregnancy and infancy. Paid maternity leave will give mothers a chance to relax and focus on taking care of her baby and not be preoccupied with work stuff because she can’t afford to not work during that time.

Hopefully the implementation of PML will produce more families with sufficient time to get started on the right foot, and I know this is far fetched, but also allows families and people to grow to be happier and that will be reflected in society!