artificial insemination syringe
Americans take immense pride in claiming to be the best in the world. We’ve even appropriated the term “American” for those of us in the U.S., ignoring the fact that “America” encompasses more than just our borders. Our self-importance knows no bounds.
In the 1950s, we were consumed by the space race, and today, it’s all about technology. We boast about our educational institutions, strive for dominance in sports—our World Series is a prime example of this entitlement, as it only features American teams. We even created our own version of football, disregarding existing global sports. ‘Merica is number one!
Our nationalism is evident in our fervor for the flag, Independence Day, and the founders of our nation, along with the rights enshrined in our Constitution. We grow up with maps that place the U.S. at the center of the world. This relentless pursuit of being the most powerful nation pushes us to the brink, often to the detriment of our well-being.
While we toil endlessly to uphold our “greatness,” other countries prioritize mental and physical health, offer ample vacation time, and provide benefits like sick leave. As a glaring example of this disparity, many nations provide substantial paid maternity and paternity leave, something the U.S. lacks. Here, employers often show little concern for whether new parents have bonded with their children, if they are recovering well, or how sleep-deprived they are. The focus remains solely on getting parents back to work—no matter the cost.
This reality is starkly illustrated in the shared experiences of mothers in the U.S.
“I’m about to have a baby and was hoping for maternity leave based on my taxes, but it’s not approved. I might have to go back to work the next day. I feel sad and anxious.”
—Confessional #72856312
“I fear I’m being pushed out at work. I can’t voluntarily resign because of my pregnancy, but I won’t qualify for maternity leave elsewhere.”
—Confessional #72856313
“Part of me desires a second child, but I dread the thought of going through labor again and receiving little support after.”
—Confessional #72856314
Many women feel trapped in their jobs, often remaining at toxic workplaces simply because they offer maternity leave, which is a rarity elsewhere. Meanwhile, mothers in other countries enjoy months or even a year of leave, while U.S. mothers are expected back at their desks within weeks.
“I still feel anger and jealousy when I see friends taking extended maternity leave while I had to return after just eight weeks.”
—Confessional #72856315
“I’m on maternity leave, but my work phone is still buzzing. I turned it on out of curiosity, and all the stress came flooding back.”
—Confessional #72856316
As maternity leave nears its end, many mothers express dread, feeling unprepared and overwhelmed.
“I was pushed into a job I despise, and now I’m leaving for a better one but will only get 2-3 weeks of maternity leave, while my partner gets two months. It’s infuriating.”
—Confessional #72856317
“I feel guilty for having a baby during COVID; the closure of my restaurant means I finally get paid maternity leave and no social pressures.”
—Confessional #72856318
“I was aware my maternity leave would be unpaid, but if the stimulus passes with extra funding, it could significantly help my family.”
—Confessional #72856319
In the U.S., maternity leave often equates to inadequate or no pay at all. It was only due to the pandemic that many mothers were able to take any leave at all.
“When I had my first daughter, my employer laughed when I asked about maternity leave, saying I would cost him money.”
—Confessional #72856320
Some women have even moved abroad in search of better maternity policies, finding joy in year-long paid leave without medical expenses.
“I relocated to Scandinavia, had my children there with a year of maternity leave and no medical bills. I have no intention of returning to the U.S.”
—Confessional #72856321
The harsh truth is that many mothers feel undervalued after becoming parents. Whether it’s being replaced at work, lacking support at home, or missing out on bonuses due to maternity leave, these experiences leave lasting scars.
If America aspires to maintain its status, it must address the critical need for paid maternity and paternity leave. Otherwise, we risk falling behind countries that prioritize the well-being of their workforce.
That’s not the “greatness” we claim, but rather a sign of our shortcomings.
For more insights, check out this article for additional perspectives.