Paid Maternity Leave – Don’t Knock It!
February 2, 2009 | Category: There
I have just read an article which has frankly disgusted me. It would appear that in France, women are entitled to 16 weeks paid maternity leave. This is not what disgusts me of course. I am thrilled that there are women in this world who are able to have access to a “benefit” of this nature. Unfortunately, this benefit is not extended to all. In Australia, for example, we have no such luck. Some employers choose to offer some paid maternity leave, but they are few and far between and the lengths of paid maternal freedom vary greatly. Having first hand experience of the problems that this lack of maternal appreciation causes, I read this article with interest. Read it for yourself of course, but in summary, it talks about how one of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s ministers, Rachida Dati, appeared at a public political function with him five days after the caesarean birth of her child. Five days! Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t five days the recommended hospital stay following a birth of this nature? I can appreciate that for some women, their financial situation might mean that regardless of their level of desire to become a mother, they may have to go back to work to make ends meet. However, this is so obviously not the case for Dati, and considering that in countries like Australia so many women are forced to make the agonising decision to go back to work earlier than they would have liked, for someone to simply ignore their right to 16 weeks of maternal freedom is appalling. Not to mention that their child/children will grow up with a stronger bond to their carer than to their own mother. Really, if work is that important to you, fine, but do not think that you can simultaneously be a decent mother. I just do not see the point in having a baby if you’re not prepared to dedicate more time. How irresponsible!
To read the article, click here: mommytrackd.com/Rachida-Dati
Jay on Tue, 3rd Feb 2009 7:42 pm
I have a few mixed emotions about this subject, though I do think it’s a little on the harsh side to say that one cannot be a good parent if one wanted/needed to work at the same time. I know plenty of people - many close friends or family - who work and are wonderful parents with happy, healthy children. Not all babies are planned to come along when they do, but you welcome and love them all the same and do what you can to maintain a family-work-life balance. Some situations mean they either have mortgages or living expenses that simply cannot be supported by whatever handout the government is offering as ‘payment’ for being a parent. Some also choose to work despite having babies because they want to have a career or maintain their drive to continue having a life for themselves too. I think ’sanity’ may come into play at some point for some people, and it can be healthy to have the space of having some work so you can both have your space (probably more so for the parent). Personally, I know I’d like to have at least 12mths away from work to be with my newborn and am working hard now, to make sure I have this option with as little financial strain on my family as possible (amongst other goals in life). I’m sure most people would rather the luxury of taking whatever maternity leave they are entitled to, but I wouldn’t consider someone a bad person or parent if they wanted to work after a short amount of time.
As for Rachida Dati, it is possible this happened to be a one off event that required her to be there if humanly possible, and it doesn’t mean she didn’t have any other time off after this. If she did…well I do think that being back at ‘work’ 5 days after birth is quite extreme!