Should women without kids be entitled to maternity leave?
One author thinks that they should…
38-year-old Meghann Foye has wrote a book called ‘Meternity’ about a woman who pretends she is pregnant to take time off to figure out her life.
Meghann recently said in an interview to New York Times ”The more I thought about it, the more I came to believe in the value of a ”meternity” leave — which is, to me, a sabbatical-like break that allows women and, to a lesser degree, men to shift their focus to the part of their lives that doesn’t revolve around their jobs.”
”It seems that parenthood is the only path that provides a modicum of flexibility, non-mums miss out on this ‘socially mandated time and space for self-reflection. Bottom line: Women are bad at putting ourselves first. But when you have a child, you learn how to self-advocate to put the needs of your family first. A well-crafted “meternity” can give you the same skills – and taking one shouldn’t disqualify you from taking maternity leave later.
However, many mums don’t agree with Meghann and say there is no ‘me’ time during maternity leave and you’re lucky if you have time to shower.
What do you think? Do you agree with Meghann’s ‘meternity leave’ or do you think this should be for new parents only?
If they don’t want to work for a year or so, then take it off but please don’t expect the company you work for or the taxpayer to give you a wage. What is happening to people? have they lost the plot? you work – you get paid. You don’t work – you don’t get paid. You have to earn your way through life till you retire.
Hahahahaha!
Maternity leave means that you have a baby at home requiring attention 24 hours a day, it is not a holiday, sleeping in with shopping trips, spa visits of actually any time spent on yourself. If you want a break, take an unpaid sabbatical from work and go back when you feel you have experienced enough time on your own but please don’t be under the illusion that maternity leave is a doddle.