Paid Family Leave

The U.S. is the only wealthy country in the world without a system of paid leave to support working families. The experiences of developed nations show that economic growth is not undermined by policies that allow parents to spend adequate time with their newborn children. Equally important, paid parental leave policies are associated with lower infant mortality rates, better cognitive test scores and fewer behavioral problems for children, as well as fewer negative labor market consequences for mothers.

In a new Next Social Contract series, Lauren Damme explores the current state of our family leave supports and outlines the policies that can lead to better economic and social outcomes for hardworking American families. 

1. FMLA fails to meet the needs of working families 

2. Paid Parental Leave: Among Developed Societies, the U.S. is an Outlier 

3. States lead the way: Paid family leave in California 

4. What could a federal paid leave insurance program look like? 

Event Invitation 

Support Working Families: Paid Family Leave Insurance 

April 7th, 12:15PM - 1:45PM 

Please join us for lunch on April 7th as we explore an innovative proposal for the creation of a Paid Family Leave Insurance Program. Our discussion of the economic and social impacts of statutory paid family leave will feature experts Ann O'Leary of the Berkeley Center on Health, Economic & Family Security at the Berkeley Law School; Katie Corrigan of Georgetown University Law Center; and Lauren Damme, Policy Analyst for the Next Social Contract Initiative at the New America Foundation. Michael Lind, Policy Director of the Economic Growth Program at the New America Foundation, will moderate.