GOOD/Column Five

Infographic

In the United States, most fathers of new babies are not able to take paid time off to be with their infant son or daughter and to help as the family adjusts to the baby’s arrival. The United States is one of the few industrialized countries without a paternity leave policy that encourages dads to spend time at home after the birth of their children. Instead, fathers in the U.S. must take unpaid leave, as allowed by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, or take vacation time. The infographic below explores this topic. Click the infographic to make it larger. After viewing the infographic, respond to the critical reading questions that follow.

AS YOU READ: Why do you think that the United States does not encourage fathers to take paternity leave, as many other countries do?