BOAZ_David,
There is not a standard system who pays the money in various countries, in some cases the taxpayers pay the money, government, in other case a mixed system (taxpayers-employers or taxpayers-employers-employees, or employers only.

Antonios rather than talk off topic on another thread about this I'll take the discussion up here.

"Maternity leave is different from the parenting leave, The countries which give paid maternity leave, give parenting leave too but most times not so big paid parenting leave."

I'm not very concerned with how other countries do it, rather that we go for the best solution we can. I've discussed this earlier in the thread and suspect that in most cases because of biological constraints and social expectations the leave would be taken by the mother but I do think the choice should rest with the parents involved. I'm in favor of reducing societal enforcement of gender roles and maternity leave instead of parenting leave enforces gender roles.

If it's paid maternity leave it makes the economic choice for the father to be the stay at home parent even more unrealistic for most families. It eliminates options which don't need to be eliminated.

As I pointed out paid maternity leave may reduce the work opportunities for young women (especially if the employer was going to have to pick up the tab). Parenting leave at least reduces the risk of gender based discrimination.

R0bert

I agree with Robert. It absolutely should be parental leave. It is nowadays not at all logical for the mother to be the one to take leave for any number of reasons. It is a decision that should be left to the parents. I'm disappointed that Natasha only refers to 'mums'.

It is funny how many people think that it is not possible considering Australia is the only country, with the USA, not to have some sort of paid maternity leave. It clearly can be done. ASymeniokis gave a pretty good list. Here’s a link for the skeptics.
http://www.childpolicyintl.org/issuebrief/issuebrief5table1.pdf

If anybody thinks that the standard of living of the citizens in many of the countries listed is not on par with that of Australia you’ve succumbed to propaganda

Steel,

obviously. Its inherent in my statement.

It was the right who ushered in this paradigm of buying off the middle classes with welfare payments.

Also, upper-class people have babies and buy houses, thus they get the baby bonus and first home buyer handouts too. Greedy well-to-do taxpayers who expect equal and inclusive treatment.

Mostly however, a bit of welfare to the upper classes (say 5%) pales in significance and longer term implications of addicting the middle-class masses (90%) to handouts.

Govt has been running large surpluses, indicating that taxation is too high. This is a bit complicated as cutting taxes or increasing spending are both potentially problematic in myriad ways.

Personally, l would prefer to see some moderation in taxation and improvements to health, education and infrastructure. Alas, the govt has to keep the coffers full as they need their electoral pork barrelling war chests to buy off the voters.

It is what it is.

Well, I have a 1 month old daughter, and I don't agree with paid maternity leave. The baby bonus came in handy at Harvery Norman though. Just jokes, it basically went straight to the doctors. I just don't agree with this 'I should be able to have a baby without it affecting my lifestyle at all' theory.

If we must have PARENTAL leave...

I agree you cant just pay it to women only.

Employers are going to naturally and rightly prefer men if women take the payment and they are funding it. I don't think this is desirable for women. So until men and women are equally likely to take parental leave, the government must pay.

I realy think it's a bit much for some woman on $100k plus to be paid 6 months on full pay to not work, while some working mother on $35k pays for it. It should be a flat rate payment if you must have maternity leave, probably set at the minimum wage.

In the end though I'd rather the government just let couples with children combine their tax free threshold when only one is working. I don't agree with taxing people and then handing it back. It's a waste.

maternity leave is given to pregnant women before the birth and immediately after the birth to protect her and the child. Parental leave is after the birth and when the mother is in position to return back work. THEN MUST BOTH PARENTS HAVE THE RIGHT FOR LEAVE AS THEY ARE EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILD AND FOR A BALANCED DEVELOPMENT (POOR ENGLISH) FROM THE CHILD.
Is it difficult to understand that a pregnant woman needs special treatment,protection before and after the berth, which does not need the man?
I do not disagree with you about the parental leave but first come the maternity leave as a HEALTH PROBLEM, as a basic health problem for the mother and the child.
I will give information about the parental leave but at the moment I have no time.
yvonne
I want from you to try to understand me! I understand you and I agree with you about parental leave, this is an other story from the maternity leave.
regards on both of you!
Antonios Symeonakis
Adelaide