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Mothers and Unpaid Leave

Unpaid Maternity Leave

Rebecca Smith

Sep 13, 2016

Culver-Stockton College

Pixabay

In the United States, mothers are not given paid maternity leave. The United States along with two other countries, New Guinea and Suriname, are the only countries, out of 185, that had available data that do not give paid leave to expecting mothers, according to ABC News.

In my opinion, I do not think that is very fair for mothers that are trying to make a living along with growing their families. It is almost like the United States is saying that if you do not want unpaid leave, then do not have a kid. That is very unfair for families. I do not like that this is a law in place. Mothers should not have to decide whether to have a child or get paid.

I also hear about mothers getting fired during their maternity leave. A friend of mine has an aunt that gave birth to twins. During her maternity leave she was fired from her job! I do not understand why she was fired. She had two babies and then was fired! I think it is completely wrong for any company to fire or not pay their mothers-to-be. How will she be able to keep up with those babies now that she has no paychecks coming her way? How far is she going to be able to make it without getting a utility turned off?

It is almost a cruel injustice.

Two of my friends agree by saying: "I think it is stupid! Having a baby is very expensive. So having extra money to help pay for the baby will help. Sure, the husband or partner will be making money as well but it just won't be enough to pay for a baby, especially if the couple is having twins or more."

I think that this is unfair. I do not believe this should be a law of any sorts. I would want to be able to have a child and KNOW that I am not going to get laid off, not receive any benefits or pay during my leave. Either I have a child and have a possibility of getting laid off or do not have children and get paid. I should not have to make this decision. No one should have to make that decision. EVER. It is unfair and cruel. Mothers should be getting all of the support they can while going through childbirth.

Resource: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-industrialized-n...

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Mothers and Unpaid Leave

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

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