What is the feminist opinion (in general) of FMLA?

If you are a feminist, I would like to get your take on FMLA as it relates to equality.





The FMLA policy is the only one in the world (that I know if) that treats everyone equally. (Equally, albeit not necessarily very well)





Everyone who qualifies can take 12 weeks off. Mother, father, adult child caregiver, whomever.





So, a new dad is no more or less motivated to take the time off than is the mom. Both have the same benefit.





Is this a good thing, from a feminists standpoint?





I am not herein asking about the paid or non-paid issue, just the concept of FMLA treating everyone equally.





What are your thoughts on this?

What is the feminist opinion (in general) of FMLA?
FMLA is a GREAT thing!! for many reasons...


it is good in that it does not single out women for special treatment, and i think it helps to elevate a man's position %26amp; status in the family realm without dinging them for it in the career realm (along with women). i hope men get more equality in regards to family, specifically.


it is also great because it broadens the reasons for taking the time off, it's not just for the arrrival of a new child (by birth or adoption) but it includes ANY medical reason in the family, such as caring for an ill or injured family member.





now if we can just get the FMLA 12 wks off with some sort of payment!
Reply:Yes, it is a good thing.


Thay have sucessfully had similar policies in European countries for more than 30 years.


Good luck
Reply:Absolutely. I was actually always under the impression that any parent - biological mom or dad, adoptive mom or dad - is able to take parental leave. The only difference is that bio moms get a little bit more time to recover physically from giving birth.





From a feminist perspective, ANY primary caregiver, regardless of gender, should be entitled to parental leave. To have it any other way would be saying that childcare is strictly a woman's job, which is very anti-feminist.
Reply:yes, this is a good thing.
Reply:Yes, I agree with it. There are men who would like to stay home and take care of the kids, this is happening more and more, and they should have that opportunity. And NOW is lobbying to have more paid time off for new PARENTS, male or female, and have it be equal.





EDIT--That logic doesn't gel to me. As I said, NOW itself is lobbying for EQUAL TIME OFF for women AND MEN for family leave...that sounds like equality to me. But they want MORE for both. Feminists are criticized for not being "family centered" and it's bunk. Feminists (as evidenced by NOW) want women AND men to have more time to spend with their newborns and family, and not be penalized by their employers for doing so. I understand that FMLA is good in that it is equal for both men and women, but the criticism is not that it is equal (NOW wants that, too) it's that the FMLA doesn't do ENOUGH, for either. NOW wants it to be equal, but also give more PTO.
Reply:Steve, you are taking NOW's quote out of context.





Yes, it is a good thing that FMLA applies to both men and women. However, many Western nations also allow paternity leave; your question is a bit disingenious.





Where it "lags behind" is that it only gives 12 weeks after the birth of a child, whereas most developed countries allow more than 1 year at some level of income. In that regard, it's actually pathetic. "Better than nothing" is pretty high praise for it.