I'm moving to Iceland!

Ok, not really. But I did just read this article that said it is ranked the best place in the world to live, so I was slightly intrigued :)

Norway was ranked first for the previous six years but has now slipped down to number 2 (still an admirable ranking, especially considering the US is 12th!) I hardly think it's a coincidence that the majority of the top countries to live in (Iceland, Norway, etc.) have fantastic PAID maternity leave. Norway, for example gives you 52 weeks at 80% pay (or 42 weeks at 100%). Iceland's benefits aren't quite as good, although they certainly beat what's given here in the US. In Iceland, mothers and fathers are EACH given three months of leave, and one parent can take an additional 3 months, giving 9 months total (which can be spread out over the first 18 months after birth). 80% of their wages are paid during this time.

Ireland, Canada and Australia rounded out the top five places to live (not necessarily in that order), and all have some type of paid parental leave (with the exception of Australia, which does still offer one year unpaid leave). Canada, for example, offers 17 weeks of maternity leave at 55% of wages and 35 weeks of parental leave (either parent or shared within the first year), also at 55%.

Now, I am sure some of you are sitting there scratching your heads, thinking, "How did she go from posting about the top places to live, to maternity/parental leave?" Well, it's simple. It's a proven fact that the way society treats its women, children and families is a direct correlation to the health and success of that society. I don't think it's at all coincidental that four of the top five countries recognize the importance of the parent/child bond and PAY new parents a portion (or all) of their wages for a substantial amount of time in order to allow new parents to bond with their newborn child. (And of course, I love that it's not just mothers who receive pay; it's parents.)

When is the US going to realize that new parents (especially mothers, who are often recovering from the stress of childbirth) deserve more than just a brief (usually unpaid, unless the parent uses their precious sick leave/vacation time) six to 12 weeks at home with their children before returning to work? When is the US going to realize that stable, bonded families are at the core of a successful society, and in order to better facilitate such families, improved parental leave policies must be implemented? We really need to catch up with the rest of the world, wouldn't you say?

On the bright side, at least we don't live in sub-Saharan Africa, which boasts (for lack of a better word) all of the 22 bottom countries. In 10 of these countries, two children in five will not reach the age of 40. I feel for these children and families, I really do. I cannot imagine bringing a child into the world, knowing that it has little better than a 50/50 chance of making it to middle age. I can't imagine the pain parents must feel as they watch their children succumb to easily preventable (with the right nutrition and medication) diseases.

So as much as I complain about the substandard parental leave policies here in the US, I am so grateful that I do not have to bring children into a country with such a dismal life expectancy. If the US is going to meddle in other countries' affairs (as we've been prone to do) I really wish we would do it for a definite and beneficial cause. Instead of fighting a pointless war (that we've spent billions upon billions on and started under false pretenses), how about we use even a fraction of that money to help those Africa? Hell, let's use it to help those right here in our own country that are suffering from substandard health care, no insurance, and lack of education. Hmmm? Anyone?