In her book ‘Four Mothers,’ Abigail Leonard explores the stark contrast in parental support systems between the U.S. and countries like Japan, Finland, and Kenya. After living in Japan, where new parents receive substantial financial support and a year of paid leave, she returned to the U.S. and realized the glaring inadequacies in American policies. The U.S. lacks any form of national paid leave and offers limited childcare support, making it difficult for middle-class families to thrive. This disparity raises critical questions about the country’s approach to family welfare as discussions around pronatalism gain traction.
Leonard's new book, Four Mothers, illustrates how national policies significantly influence parental experiences across countries, shedding light on the contrasts between the US and other developed nations.
The US spends a fraction of what other wealthy countries invest in early education and childcare, leaving middle-class families with inadequate support for their children's development.
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