To think that women without children should be able to take time off work too?

[Playfair]

Firstly I will say that I am 100% supportive of good maternity leave (and paternity / shared), and understand the importance of supporting women to maintain a career, care for children or whatever else they wish.

I also acknowledge that maintaining birth rates is critical for society. And that maternity leave is spent doing work in raising a child.

Reflecting on my company's good maternity policy (about 6 months paid) and also some other institutions that have announced paid time off for those undergoing fertility treatment, it leaves me wondering about those of us without children (by choice or otherwise).

I'm in my thirties and will never have children. I'd love to have a small amount of paid time off (in addition to usual annual leave) to do some lengthy travel for example. I can't see why we can't have access to something similar if you haven't used any maternity benefit by a certain point.

There would obviously be benefits for society & business from developing new skills, morale etc. As well as women in work contributing to economy and through taxation.

So,

YABU - Women who choose not to have children shouldn't be entitled to anything else

YANBU - Women should be able to claim a small amount of extra paid time off if they stay in a career and contribute to business and societies success

What you’re asking for is the right to a sabbatical. I support that - but it shouldn’t be paid. And men should be able to do it too.

Mat leave is NOT a break or a holiday. I know you don’t mean to be, but it’s offensive to liken to it to a “break”.

Considering I posted it and have kids not sure what odd point you’re trying to make here.

Im not proud I’ve done what millions of women around the world manage to do, it’s a bit weird being proud of something you have no real control or involvement in.

Honestly OP, you have a ton of people here who don’t feel the same way as you, who have actually lived the experience. And you think you know better than them? Just why? Very arrogant.

Ask your HR department if as a single women they'll give you time off every time you get a cat?

Your post still demonstrates a complete lack if empathy for the appalling and heartbreaking experiences many people are going through. Telling them it's easier than having a baby to look after is shocking.

Would you be having this time off if you weren't paid for it?

What about men though? You also said that you believe men should get this benefit/sabbatical? So, if your basis for comparing it to maternity leave is because in theory you think they've already put it aside just in case you have children, how do we then apply this to men? And if we can't apply it to men then, what's to stop men then claiming it's discriminatory that all women are entitled to this time off to do whatever they like with (babies/travel/hobby)?

And before anyone jumps in that men can take leave to look after the baby, OP is suggesting childless women are basically entitled to this leave and that's why it's fair to compare it to maternity leave because most companies should assume it's a possibility, she might have a child and thus need said leave. Most companies do not think this about men.

How is it odd to be proud of birthing and bringing up a human 🤣. Although if you're not good at it, I guess you shouldn't be.

Stereotyping much?

OP with all due respect you sound ridiculous. You are suggesting paid leave in lieu of maternity leave. What do you want in lieu of compassionate leave / bereavement leave? What if you get pregnant later?

She doesn't want that because you can also claim it. She wants the kind of time off that you as a mother can't claim. That's the point.

“Something similar” 😂😂😂

You already have the ability to ask for a sabbatical, and dependent's leave applies already if you need time to e.g. look after an elderly parent.

But maternity leave isn't "time off". It is extremely hard, draining, exhausting and overwhelming work, which is vital for producing the generation of people who will be providing nursing care, engineering and science to run civilisation generally and all the other jobs that need doing to keep the world going once your generation has retired, so the job needs doing and the government pays those who do it a fairly small amount to enable it to happen. It's not a holiday and although I have sympathy for those who are involuntarily childless I don't think a paid holiday is an appropriate thing to offer. It's nit equivalent and could be seen as insulting by some.

Leave for IVF is different. Basically sick leave because the hormone cycle intensity can make you feel awful and you need rest and low-stress to maximise the chances of success. It's great that some employers offee it but again it is not a holiday.

Because it’s nothing to be proud of

you haven’t had to do anything special to give birth, you are doing what nature intended so to speak. It’s not an achievement to procreate and give birth.

Anyone who lists having a baby as an achievement needs to get a bit of a grip.

Raising one is a separate issue but good job trying to put words into my mouth

Do you think women whose bodies can’t do the thing you did should feel ashamed? And do you think childless not by choice women have no reason to feel bitter?

On the flip side though, is it fair to take your bitterness out on women who were able to have children? Do you think women who had children should feel ashamed for feeling proud?

Presumably you have clocked that at the end of the leave parents continue to have to pay for and look after their offspring!
I don't see how you have equated maternity leave with a holiday. By your reckoning, anyone male or female should be entitled to a six month paid leave from work for any reason that they fancy. How would this be paid for? Currently the government do reimburse employers for some of their costs. Should this be added to the overall public spending bill?

I agree. An absolutely obnoxious post.

It's damn hard work and I struggled so much at the start that yes I'm sorry but I am proud of it.

They shouldn't be making rude obnoxious posts like poniesandcream did.
Do you really think that showed her in a good light?

So if I have had a baby, would I also be allowed other paid leave in your plan given that having a baby isn't actually just time off?

Not necessarily

If you lost your child after 24 weeks you’d still be entitled to full maternity leave.

Which is more than most get for compassionate leave under normal circumstances.

that poster responded to a comment that implied parents who are proud are only proud of their children and having them because they have nothing else to be proud of. That is just as rude.

Should I be able to have time off because I haven't used my sick leave entitlement or bereavement leave because I was fortunate enough to not need this? What about parents who have to use their annual leave to look after their kids, should they get more leave? You can surely see how bonkers your argument is. I think that many women do very much enjoy their leave. It is also true that in some professions leave is well paid. However, this is not universally true. Regardless, maternity leave is paid for in this way not to benefit women particularly and to enable them to have an extended holiday from work but because children need to be cared for.

It is if it’s against the odds. For some it is. Women with certain chronic health conditions and certain physical disabilities. A woman, who conceived easily, has not been through gruelling fertility treatment and needed surgery to have a child and then become disabled because of it can continue to have children, work and have a fulfilled life. We. Are. Not. All. The. Same.