AAP News Vol. 3 No. 8 August 1987, p. 13
© 1987 American Academy of Pediatrics
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Maternity leave: Questions and answers

Jeffrey Berman M.D., FAAP1

1 Salinas, Calif.

The Academy has taken a position of endorsing the concept of four months of maternity leave. The bill, as I understand it, has been placed in the "hopper" by Patricia Schroeder (D-Colo.). This is a very difficult issue for all pediatricians. For one, I don't know what is so magical about four months. It seems to me that bonding takes place between a parent and child during the entire childhood. Infants, children, pre-adolescents and adolescents all need their parents' ongoing guidance. On the other hand, our society has made it practically imperative that most women work for economic and other reasons. Should a woman lose her job, at which she is very good, just because she becomes pregnant? How long should she be off work? Should this time be paid? Should this affect all employers whether they employ one person or they employ large numbers of employees?