<P> American family policy perpetuates inequalities as many low - income women lack access to maternity leave . Under the current FMLA system, approximately 40% of United States workers are ineligible for benefits due to the brevity of their tenure or the smallness of their firm . These excluded populations are often low - waged and minority women thus furthering their already present disadvantage . Moreover, the unpaid aspect of the current policy limits access to those who are economically well off . The United States Department of Labor reported that over a 22 - month period in 1999 and 2000, 3.5 million people needed leave but were unable to take it due to affordability concerns . The lack of monetary compensation may hinder the ability of women who are not as financially secure as others to balance employment with their family life . </P> <P> California is the first state to offer paid paternity leave weeks (six weeks, partial payment). New Jersey, Rhode Island, and New York since passed laws for paid family leave . In the rest of the US, paternity pay weeks are not offered (therefore neither paternity paid leave weeks), but fathers have access to unpaid paternity leave to care for their newborns (without new income). Often, fathers will take sick days or vacation time when they have newborns . There is also a growing number of fathers that go unpaid . Some employers are required by law to allow 12 weeks of unpaid family leave after the birth or adoption of a child . This law is under FMLA or Family Medical Leave Act . Fathers who have access to paid paternity leave give mothers the opportunity to engage in paid work, with a positive effect on female labor force participation and wages . </P> <P> The United States military branches also show a minimal paternity leave . Although some branches give more time after the birth to take the leave, all branches give to ten days . This type of leave is only applicable to those who are married . </P> <P> Longer paternity leave increases the father's engagement with a child, which leads to the child's improved cognitive and mental health outcomes and fewer behavior problems . </P>

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