The Conservative Argument Over Paid Family Leave

In the only industrialized country without a national program providing paid maternity leave, the idea of establishing one is gaining purchase politically. Senators have introduced bills that would offer paid leave for new parents (not just mothers), President Donald Trump’s latest budget makes mention of doing the same, and several states have created their own programs in the absence of a federal one. Paid leave for people to care for sick or injured family members is gaining popularity as well.

At this point, the state of paid leave—whether used to care for newborns, other loved ones, or oneself—is that Americans could use more of it. According to the Department of Labor, of private-sector workers have access to paid family leave through their employer. And 93 percent of workers earning less than about $14 an hour have no access to such benefits.