Meghan Markle has written an open letter to members of the US Congress in support of a comprehensive paid parental leave programme.
Meghan, a mother of two, gave birth to her daughter Lili in June, and she opened up about how “overwhelmed” she and Prince Harry were in the first few weeks.
She also expressed her dissatisfaction with the country’s lack of comprehensive paid leave for all parents, urging Congress to agree that “if we are to continue to be exceptional, we cannot be the exception.”
“My husband and I welcomed our second child in June,” the former actress wrote. We were ecstatic, as any parent would be. We, like many other parents, were completely overwhelmed. We weren’t faced with the harsh reality of either spending those first few crucial months with our baby or returning to work, like so few other parents.
“We knew we could take her home and devote every waking moment to our children and family at that crucial (and sacred) stage. We knew that by doing so, we wouldn’t have to make the difficult decisions about childcare, work, and medical care that so many people face on a daily basis.”
“I’m writing to you on behalf of millions of American families who are raising their voices to say that comprehensive paid leave is not a place to compromise or negotiate,” Meghan continued.
“In fact, paid leave policies are already in place in most countries.” Estonia, for example, provides new parents with over a year and a half of paid leave. Many other countries have robust programmes that allow both biological and adoptive parents to spend months at home with their children.
“By contrast, no one in the United States is guaranteed a single day of paid leave by the federal government.” And only about one out of every four workers has access to paid family leave through their employer.”
“I know how politically charged things can—and have—become,” she concluded. But this isn’t a matter of right or wrong; it’s a matter of right or wrong. It’s about prioritising families over politics.
“And, for a change, it’s something on which we all seem to agree.” Let this be a shared goal that unites us at a time when everything seems to be dividing us.
“So, on behalf of my family, Archie, Lili, and Harry, I thank you for taking the time to read this letter, and on behalf of all families, I ask you to make sure this crucial moment does not pass us by.”
Meghan has collaborated on this project with three national campaigns: Paid Leave for All, Marshall Plan for Moms, and PL+US.
Very well written and articulated but, as far as your comment “if we are to continue to be exceptional, we cannot be the exception.” goes…I can see that you have a sense of humor because much of America and the image it projects to the world is a lie. I know first hand that the U.S. Constitution and the right’s/protections it is supposed to guarantee ALL US citizens is a lie because I’ve learned, that the government picks and chooses who is protected under that lie of a document. Some of us are NOT protected AT ALL, while others receive MORE rights than that document guarantees. That’s a discussion that is very lengthy and is a literal “can of worms”, which those in power do not want to have because, not only will some very bitter truths about this country be exposed, but they will also have to own up to their own treachery, promoting personal agendas, and their blatant abuse of power.
As far as the US government instituting universal Paid Parental Leave when a baby is born or when a couple adopts a child, I agree that should be available because it’s a very crucial and pivotal time for the new parents and the baby. I also am aware that the US is the only country in the developed world, that doesn’t offer some form of paid parental leave. Some employers will offer some form of income for up to 12 weeks (I’m not 100% sure of the amount of time) after delivery but not all. FMLA guarantees that an employer can not terminate an employee and must hold their job for 6 months if they are out because of a birth, adoption, or the need to care for a family member who is medically compromised but the employee must have the income to sustain themselves during that time. At CHOP, they offered Short-Term and Long-Term Disability that would pay an employee up to 60% of their base salary, while out on leave for FMLA. There is no paternity leave in this country which is also an area where the US fails in comparison to other countries in the developed world. Now, I think that the size of the US, the tax structure, the stratification of society based on RACE and socioeconomic class all factor in to why it’s more difficult to institute paid parental leave in this country. These are also contributing factors to why having Universal Healthcare in the US is more difficult than nations such as those in Europe and Canada. Grant it, Canada is just as large as the US in regards to geographic size but the US is much more populated with greater variations in socioeconomic class. If Universal Paid Parental Leave and Universal Healthcare are to be offered in the US, taxes will automatically increase. In my opinion, that’s a given. In regards to taxes, taxes are the way that things get done in a society/community. They pay for the infrastructure, educational system (TEACHERS), police, fire fighters..everything that makes a society run and keeps it civilized. Therefore, I have and never have had a problem paying my taxes…and I’m more than willing to pay higher taxes to live in a safe neighborhood with good schools to educate my children. I’d gladly pay higher taxes to have access to these things but that’s another topic of discussion.
In summary, I’d definitely support Universal Paid Parental Leave and Universal Healthcare. We’d just have to figure out a way to pay for it that will not financially cripple people because taxes are so high or it won’t send the National Debt even higher into the stratosphere.
Very well written and articulated but, as far as your comment “if we are to continue to be exceptional, we cannot be the exception.” goes…I can see that you have a sense of humor because much of America and the image it projects to the world is a lie. I know first hand that the U.S. Constitution and the right’s/protections it is supposed to guarantee ALL US citizens is a lie because I’ve learned, that the government picks and chooses who is protected under that lie of a document. Some of us are NOT protected AT ALL, while others receive MORE rights than that document guarantees. That’s a discussion that is very lengthy and is a literal “can of worms”, which those in power do not want to have because, not only will some very bitter truths about this country be exposed, but they will also have to own up to their own treachery, promoting personal agendas, and their blatant abuse of power.
As far as the US government instituting universal Paid Parental Leave when a baby is born or when a couple adopts a child, I agree that should be available because it’s a very crucial and pivotal time for the new parents and the baby. I also am aware that the US is the only country in the developed world, that doesn’t offer some form of paid parental leave. Some employers will offer some form of income for up to 12 weeks (I’m not 100% sure of the amount of time) after delivery but not all. FMLA guarantees that an employer can not terminate an employee and must hold their job for 6 months if they are out because of a birth, adoption, or the need to care for a family member who is medically compromised but the employee must have the income to sustain themselves during that time. At CHOP, they offered Short-Term and Long-Term Disability that would pay an employee up to 60% of their base salary, while out on leave for FMLA. There is no paternity leave in this country which is also an area where the US fails in comparison to other countries in the developed world. Now, I think that the size of the US, the tax structure, the stratification of society based on RACE and socioeconomic class all factor in to why it’s more difficult to institute paid parental leave in this country. These are also contributing factors to why having Universal Healthcare in the US is more difficult than nations such as those in Europe and Canada. Grant it, Canada is just as large as the US in regards to geographic size but the US is much more populated with greater variations in socioeconomic class. If Universal Paid Parental Leave and Universal Healthcare are to be offered in the US, taxes will automatically increase. In my opinion, that’s a given. In regards to taxes, taxes are the way that things get done in a society/community. They pay for the infrastructure, educational system (TEACHERS), police, fire fighters..everything that makes a society run and keeps it civilized. Therefore, I have and never have had a problem paying my taxes…and I’m more than willing to pay higher taxes to live in a safe neighborhood with good schools to educate my children. I’d gladly pay higher taxes to have access to these things but that’s another topic of discussion.
In summary, I’d definitely support Universal Paid Parental Leave and Universal Healthcare. We’d just have to figure out a way to pay for it that will not financially cripple people because taxes are so high or it won’t send the National Debt even higher into the stratosphere.