I do not get involved in politics and rarely speak my mind 100%, even in my own blog, so I will try to go about my thoughts here as calm and neutral as possible, which is tough. I feel it is extremely unfair that women are discriminated against for having a child. It does make sense that if you take months or years off from work, you will miss a promotion or get behind in your job or career. That makes sense and yes it is unfair, but that is how God made men and women. Men cannot give birth, so women get that gift, while they may take longer to move forward in their career because of it. Now if a man takes paternity leave for months or a year, whether paid or not, whether in this country or not, the same thing will happen.
Anyone who is out of work for months or years will miss a promotion and get behind in their job and career. But in general, there should not be discrimination when it comes to starting a family. I am not a mother yet, and I hear comments and threats about the chance that I might be one day. When will discrimination against women, who want to have a family, which is most women, when men physically cannot, stop? Having children is not a hobby, as the article mentions many think it is. Ironically - the problem is not only male bosses. I have had more problems from female bosses - I do not know if it is jealousy or competition or age - but whatever it is, it is wrong. I am not male bashing here. I believe in equality for both genders. And women themselves - especially women bosses - tend to be a bigger problem than male bosses, in my opinion, from personal experience. And there is not much support from the law period for anyone, especially not in this country.
Women work, often full time, while carrying an extra 30+ pounds, to then push a baby out, while stressing about their job, salary, future, supporting their family, are already exhausted from pregnancy and birth, and face threats and discrimination from their employers - some to a point where they need to hide their pregnancies, or even an unfortunate miscarriage. This really is not human and very unfair. This level of anxiety and stress prevents women from getting pregnant, causes complications during pregnancy and delivery, and more health risks for the mother and the baby. All of this is not worth it. When will the unnecessary stress cease? God made women to carry and birth children, but it doesn't mean they should sit at home either - it is their choice to work - part time or full - in the office or from home - or not work at all and be at home to take care of their kids full time. That is their choice and that is all fine, whatever they choose. But a parent who wants to work shouldn't have to give up their career due to the level of anxiety and stress put on them, or the lack of support or child care options, in a country that offers no maternity or paternity leave for parents. On top of that, they shouldn't have their professional life made more difficult for them, as well as harassed and bullied on a daily basis, whether pregnant or even the thought of wanting to be pregnant. I have faced it as well. It is not pretty.
