Letter to the Editor: Floridians deserve paid family leave
No mom or dad should have to choose between their paycheck and their child. No parent working in the retail or other industry should have to choose between their baby at home and their status at work. The Florida Family Leave Act ensures all parents never have to make that decision again and will help make families stronger.
This legislative session, lawmakers will discuss two bills in Florida’s House and Senate that would give three months of paid time off to working parents. Paid family leave is supported across the aisle in other parts of the country. President Trump recently signed a bill requiring 12 weeks of paid family leave for all federal employees.
A family’s bond is at the core of our society. It’s morally unacceptable for citizens in the wealthiest nation on Earth to be forced to disregard their newborn to keep their job. The first few weeks of a child’s life are some of the most important for development, and families should be together to make sure they are the healthiest they can be. All of our faiths call us to prioritize family. A stronger family means a stronger community.
In the United States, 25 percent of women go back to work within 10 days of giving birth. This not only puts mothers at risk, but newborns as well. Studies show that paid family leave leads to lower infant mortality and lower risk of postpartum depression for mothers. With the Florida Family Leave Act, all working parents will be able to provide the care and financial support their child needs.
Both political parties advocate for family values and stand for working families. Now is the time for them to show that support. State senators and representatives should vote “Yes” on the Florida Family Leave Act and use their faith to guide them there.
Norman Hodge, Jr.,
Church of Christ Written in Heaven,
Homestead
