It’s Quiz time
Benefits for Parents
Parental leave policies vary widely around the world, but their core purpose is to give parents time to care for and bond with their child without risking their job. It is an expensive benefit for government and business to provide, but is increasingly recognized as essential for public health, gender equality, and child development.
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Take this week’s Quiz and find out how much you know!
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Results
#1. Which country offers the shortest legally mandated paid maternity leave?
The United States is the only developed country that doesn’t have a federal law mandating paid maternity leave for all employees. There is a law providing 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, with job-protections in place, but other countries give longer leave with salary. (Employees of the federal government receive 12 weeks of paid paternity leave.) Some companies in the U.S. will offer paid maternity leave (and some will even offer paternity leave to the father), but it is not legally required.
#2. Among the following countries, which offers the longest legally mandated maternity leave?
Hungary allows 24 weeks of maternity leave at 70% of the mother’s salary. After the 24 weeks, mothers can choose to extend their leave up until their child’s second birthday and continue to receive 70% of their salary. They can then extend for one more year with no pay.
#3. True or False: Paid maternity and paternity leave has increased the fertility rates in countries that have low birth rates.
Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world. Their maternity leave laws allow them to take 158 working days off once their child is born, but their fertility rates continue to be one of the lowest in the world at 1.4 children per woman. The United States has a higher fertility rate than Japan (with 1.6 children per woman), even though it has no laws to promote paid maternity leave.
#4. How does maternity leave affect children’s socio-emotional development in adolescence?
A Danish study found that children whose mothers took longer parental leave exhibited better emotional stability and lower school absenteeism during adolescence, highlighting the long-term benefits of extended leave. “On average, the child’s well-being measures increased by 4.8 per cent for every extra month of parental leave their mother took.”
#5. Which of the following is associated with improved mental health outcomes for mothers?
Mothers who have access to paid parental leave lasting more than 2–3 months experience reduced risks of depressive symptoms, psychological distress, and burnout. This allows them to take care of both themselves and their baby, resulting in better success in their family unit.
#6. Bonus Question from last time: 4. Select all that apply: What are the most commonly cited reasons young adults choose to delay or avoid marriage, according to recent research?
Select all that apply:
Studies show that many young adults delay or avoid marriage due to concerns about their financial readiness, career priorities, and fear of divorce. Many believe that social media plays a large role in hesitation to marry, because people are more likely to hear and see negative aspects of marriage and beginning a family being projected online.
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