The University of Massachusetts Amherst

Misra Looks at Lack of Family-friendly Policy in US

Joya Misra

Professor Joya Misra of the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy and the Department of Sociology looks at the lack of familly-friendly workplace policies —such as affordable childcare and paid parental leave — in the US and considers the broader implications in a new article, "The US Is Stingier with Child Care and Maternity Leave than the Rest of the World," at The Conversation. 

"These holes in the national safety net are a problem for many reasons, including one I’ve been researching with my colleagues for years: Paid parental leave and child care help women stay in the workforce and earn higher wages over time. This lack of parental leave and child care may explain why the U.S. is no longer a leader in women’s workforce participation," she writes.

Misra also writes about the importance of designing such policies thoughtfully, to ensure they don't end up creating unintended consequences, such as parents' being discriminated against for taking leave.

About the School of Public Policy: Established in 2016, the UMass Amherst School of Public Policy is a hub for research and teaching, preparing students for leadership in public service. The program’s focuses include social change and public policy related to science and technology.

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