The issue of paid maternity/paternity leave.

The lack of a national paid parental leave policy in the United States has a number of negative consequences. It makes it difficult for parents to take time off work to care for their newborns or newly adopted children. This can put a strain on families financially and can also make it difficult for parents to bond with their children.

The lack of paid parental leave also has a negative impact on women's careers. Women who take unpaid leave are more likely to be passed over for promotions and raises. They are also more likely to leave the workforce altogether.

There is a growing movement in the United States to support a national paid parental leave policy. A number of states have passed their own paid parental leave laws, and there is a bill pending in Congress that would create a national paid parental leave program.

Here is a table comparing the paid parental leave policies of some European countries and the United States:

As you can see, the paid parental leave policies in European countries are much more generous than the policy in the United States. This is a major issue that needs to be addressed in order to support working families and ensure that all parents have the opportunity to bond with their newborns and newly adopted children.

The United States is the only developed country in the world that does not have a national paid parental leave policy. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, including the birth or adoption of a child. However, the FMLA only applies to employers with 50 or more employees, and it does not require that the leave be paid.

In contrast, most European countries have national paid parental leave policies that provide paid leave for both mothers and fathers. The length of paid leave varies from country to country, but it is typically at least 14 weeks. In some countries, such as Sweden, parents can share the paid leave between them.