During maternity leave, women usually get paid a small fraction of their regular wage or they do not get paid at all. I believe that women need to get paid enough during maternity leave that they can support their newborn child comfortably. Maternity leave should also be extended pass the average time of six weeks. That is not nearly enough time to form that early bond that children will have for the rest of their lives. Most countries outside of the US have already established laws that require paid maternity leave and extended its duration. We need to follow their example and require paid maternity leave and extend the time mothers are allowed to spend with their newborn child without fear of losing their job.



