The United States has the least generous maternity leave policy of ANY wealthy nation. It is the ONLY developed country- and one of only a handful of countries in the world- that does not guarantee working mothers paid leave. -Mother's Index 2012.
Our neighbors to the north in Canada receive 52 weeks with 55% of wages for their maternity leave. Even the UK allows 52 weeks with 90% of wages guaranteed. We presently allow just 12 weeks with 0 wages. This is an absolute disgrace.
The length of maternity leave needs to be increased and our working women deserve their wages while they care for their children.