Book review: The Rise and Fall of Moral Conflicts in the United States and Canada

Abstract

Although a high percentage of Swedish fathers have taken leave since this policy was implemented, it is still less than the percentage of mothers who take leave. Sweden incentivized its policy by adding a “use or lose it” clause and this encouraged more leave taking by fathers. Even with a gender inclusive policy, working mothers in Sweden still face workplace inequality. Compared to men, more working women are employed in low-paying public-sector jobs that often have limited opportunities for advancement. With an unpaid policy in the US, working mothers have been taking shorter leaves and this has led to more career advancement for women, especially in previously male-dominated positions. Kaufman is not convinced that these advances are worth having an unpaid leave policy. Fixing Parental Leave does a wonderful job of detailing the intricacies involved in parental leave taking. It shows that work–life balance is not easily attained and that at almost every step there are traditional gendered stereotypes that still guide policymaking in this area. Kaufman consistently focusses each of the six statements around gender equality and challenges arguments claiming that mothers are the only ones who can nurture a newborn infant. Throughout the book, the reader is reminded that primarily giving mothers time off for childbirth or adoption inherently means that fathers will play a small role in childrearing if they are not encouraged to take an equal amount of time off work. Kaufman’s solution of 6 months of paid leave for both mothers and fathers seems to be the sweet spot in the midst of it all. In this proposed solution, both parents would get an equal amount of time off work and receive compensation of a minimum of 80 percent of their wages. This solution is supported by solid research and can be ideal not just for the United States but also for other countries. What may need to happen first in the United States is a government-backed commitment to gender equality similar to the commitment that was adopted in Sweden. Kaufman highlighted that this government focus is what helped to usher in the egalitarian policy in Sweden. The United States continues to operate on the male breadwinner–female caregiver model and adopting a policy that goes against this ideology may be challenging. Maybe this is part of the reason the United States’ parental leave policy has remained stagnant. No one has figured out how to shift the national mindset. This book is a great way to start conversations about this mindset shift, and for mothers, fathers, employers, and policymakers to look at work models that can benefit everyone. One of the first stages of change is awareness and Kaufman gives us ample information to inform, inspire, and eventually motivate toward parity at work and home.