For Parents:
When parents take paid parental leave, they may experience:
- Higher self-reported ability to care for their child and more confident parenting
- A lower likelihood of needing federal assistance (e.g., SNAP) in the year after a birth
Mothers who take paid parental leave have:
- Fewer depressive symptoms during early motherhood
- An increased likelihood of remaining in the workforce, with the same employer and with higher wages, after having a child
Fathers are more likely to take parental leave when it is paid, which may lead to:
- Fathers more involved in childcare / parenting in the long-term
- Mothers able to return to work more quickly