One of Only Five Countries In The World

Europe is so far ahead of the US when it comes to taking care of families: day care, health insurance, family leave or compassionate leave for those with seriously ill family members. Let's join the 'developed countries' at last.

- Barbara in New York City

This is already a policy in most of Europe and even some "third world" countries. It's time for the U.S. to catch up on its agenda for women's rights.

- Margaret in New York City

It's time to join the rest of W. Europe and afford families much needed time together without sacrificing their jobs.

- Bernadette in New York City

It is time to follow the lead of the rest of the industrialized world.

- Timothy in Saugerties

A lot of people know that Family Leave Insurance is common in Europe, where it works to make businesses more family friendly and effective.

But it's not well known that the U.S. is one of only five countries in the world that doesn't offer Family Leave Insurance. From The 2007 Work, Family, and Equity Index: How Does the U.S. Measure Up? by Dr. Jody Heymann, Institute for Health and Social Policy Director:

Out of 173 countries studied, 168 guarantee paid maternal leave, with 98 of these countries offering 14 or more weeks of paid leave. The U.S. provides no paid leave for mothers. Lesotho, Liberia, Swaziland and Papua New Guinea are the only other countries studied that do not guarantee leave with income to mothers.

Sixty-five countries grant fathers either paid paternity leave or paid parental leave, with 31 of these countries offering 14 or more weeks of paid leave. The U.S. guarantees fathers neither paid paternity nor paid parental leave.

This is a national disgrace. But it's starting to change. California and Washington state both have Family Leave Insurance. And we're going to pass it here in New York.

Sign the card and make New York a world leader.