Victoria Gordon is a professor in the Department of Political Science MPA program at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. She earned her doctor of public administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Her areas of research interest include municipal finance and human resources management.Beth M. Rauhaus is an assistant professor of public administration and the MPA Program Coordinator in the Department of Social Sciences at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. She holds a PhD in public administration and policy from Mississippi State University. Much of her research explores gender representation and diversity in the public sector.

• List of FiguresList of TablesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsThe AuthorsChapter 1 Introduction: What Have We Done to Our Daughters?Maternity Leave—An Unresolved Conversation? Are Maternity Leave Expectations and Realities Mismatched?ReferencesChapter 2 Work–Life BalanceDefining and Refining Work–Life BalanceThe Benefits to Organizations with Work–Life Balance PoliciesWork–Life Balance Employee Benefits for a Diverse WorkforceReferencesChapter 3 Background: Understanding the Legislative Intent and Symbolism of Public PoliciesIn the Beginning: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act The Tax Code and Child Care and Child Tax CreditsThe Promises and Problems of the Family and Medical Leave ActThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActThe Economic, Social, and Symbolic Implications of Maternity Leave PoliciesAppendixReferencesChapter 4 The Evolution and Devolution of Maternity Leave as an Employee BenefitTrends in Birthrates, Fertility Rates, Employment Patterns, and Use of Maternity Leave BenefitsTypes of Maternity Leave Taken—Paid and UnpaidTypes of Paternity and Parental Leave PoliciesExamples of Maternity Leave PoliciesAntenatal Leave and Short-Term Disability LeaveNo Leave and Permanent Exit from the WorkplaceReferencesChapter 5 Women’s Health Care and the WorkplaceHealth Insurance for Women of Childbearing AgeFertility IssuesIntended and Unintended PregnanciesPregnancy and WorkPregnancy and Factors Impacting Infant MortalityDelivery, Maternal Mortality, and MorbidityMaternity Leave and Infant MortalityMother’s Return to Work and Breast-FeedingWell-Baby Doctor VisitsPostpartum IssuesOptimal Length of Maternity LeaveThe Baby’s PerspectiveThe Need for a Holistic Approach to Women’s HealthReferencesChapter 6 Research ApproachThe Methodology: Why Qualitative Research? Analysis of the InterviewsStudy LimitationsThe Participants: Who Are These Women?Description of the In-Depth Interview QuestionsReferencesChapter 7 The Interviews: Profiles of Women and Their Perceptions and ExperiencesEmployees of Public UniversitiesEmployees of Private UniversitiesEmployees of the Pharmaceutical IndustryReferencesChapter 8 The Themes: How Women Cope with the Myths and Realities of Maternity LeaveInconsistencies in Administration of Maternity Leave PoliciesIt Is All in the TimingTransition Back to WorkChild CareBreast-Feeding, Pumping, and the WorkplaceUnmet Needs and Professional ConcernsChapter 9 The Other VoicesStudents Who Are Mothers: Is It Better to Have Children at a Younger Age?Fathers Who Utilized Paternity LeaveChallenges Faced by Same-Sex Couples Who Decide to Become ParentsWomen Who Decided Not to Have ChildrenUnsupportive Versus Supportive Colleagues—The Stereotypes and BiasesAdministrative Views—Rules Versus DiscretionAppendixReferencesChapter 10 An International Comparison—The Other KingdomsWhat Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Parental Leave Benefits Are Offered in Other Countries? Why Is the United States Lagging behind Other Countries in Providing Maternity Leave Benefits? ReferencesChapter 11 Progress: Baby StepsFederal Maternity Leave PolicyState Maternity Leave PoliciesPaid Leave in the StatesUnpaid and Partially Paid Leave in the StatesLocal Government Maternity Leave PoliciesPrivate Sector Maternity Leave Policies and Best PracticesReferencesChapter 12 Conclusion: Can the Fairy Tale Be Realized or Should It Be Rewritten? What Are the Obstacles to a Happy Ending for Our Daughters?What Can We Reasonably Expect to Change within Our Organizations?What Is Best for Society?Restoring the Fairy TaleAppendixReferencesIndex

"Addressing a gap in the public administration literature, Maternity Leave, Second Edition is very well researched and covers a lot of ground, from work–life balance, legislation related to pregnancy and maternity leave, birthrates, fertility rates, women’s health, comparing international parental leave policies, to presenting in-depth profiles of women who have confronted challenges while utilizing maternity leave. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the topic of maternity leave." —Meghna Sabharwal, University of Texas at Dallas, USA"Gordon and Rauhaus provide a truly comprehensive approach to the study of maternity leave. This book is a must read, not only for scholars and policy makers, but anyone interested in—or affected by—pregnancy and maternity leave policies." —Mary McThomas, University of California, Irvine, USA"This edition delivers a truly definitive exploration of maternity leave. Looking back and leaning forward, this book leaves no corner unexamined. Personnel administrators, those who teach, or simply those interested in understanding parental leave for personal use will appreciate Gordon and Rauhaus’s depth and insights." —Hillary J. Knepper, Pace University, New York, USA"Victoria Gordon and Beth M. Rauhaus’s insight and discoveries are eye-opening. Their ideas and solutions can help break the glass ceiling, support modern families, and boost the economy. I hope every executive manager and policy maker reads it and, in turn, creates the change we need." —Elena Donovan Mauer, Parenting Writer and Editor, New York, USA

Victoria Gordon is a professor in the Department of Political Science MPA program at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. She earned her doctor of public administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Her areas of research interest include municipal finance and human resources management.Beth M. Rauhaus is an assistant professor of public administration and the MPA Program Coordinator in the Department of Social Sciences at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. She holds a PhD in public administration and policy from Mississippi State University. Much of her research explores gender representation and diversity in the public sector.

• List of FiguresList of TablesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsThe AuthorsChapter 1 Introduction: What Have We Done to Our Daughters?Maternity Leave—An Unresolved Conversation? Are Maternity Leave Expectations and Realities Mismatched?ReferencesChapter 2 Work–Life BalanceDefining and Refining Work–Life BalanceThe Benefits to Organizations with Work–Life Balance PoliciesWork–Life Balance Employee Benefits for a Diverse WorkforceReferencesChapter 3 Background: Understanding the Legislative Intent and Symbolism of Public PoliciesIn the Beginning: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act The Tax Code and Child Care and Child Tax CreditsThe Promises and Problems of the Family and Medical Leave ActThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActThe Economic, Social, and Symbolic Implications of Maternity Leave PoliciesAppendixReferencesChapter 4 The Evolution and Devolution of Maternity Leave as an Employee BenefitTrends in Birthrates, Fertility Rates, Employment Patterns, and Use of Maternity Leave BenefitsTypes of Maternity Leave Taken—Paid and UnpaidTypes of Paternity and Parental Leave PoliciesExamples of Maternity Leave PoliciesAntenatal Leave and Short-Term Disability LeaveNo Leave and Permanent Exit from the WorkplaceReferencesChapter 5 Women’s Health Care and the WorkplaceHealth Insurance for Women of Childbearing AgeFertility IssuesIntended and Unintended PregnanciesPregnancy and WorkPregnancy and Factors Impacting Infant MortalityDelivery, Maternal Mortality, and MorbidityMaternity Leave and Infant MortalityMother’s Return to Work and Breast-FeedingWell-Baby Doctor VisitsPostpartum IssuesOptimal Length of Maternity LeaveThe Baby’s PerspectiveThe Need for a Holistic Approach to Women’s HealthReferencesChapter 6 Research ApproachThe Methodology: Why Qualitative Research? Analysis of the InterviewsStudy LimitationsThe Participants: Who Are These Women?Description of the In-Depth Interview QuestionsReferencesChapter 7 The Interviews: Profiles of Women and Their Perceptions and ExperiencesEmployees of Public UniversitiesEmployees of Private UniversitiesEmployees of the Pharmaceutical IndustryReferencesChapter 8 The Themes: How Women Cope with the Myths and Realities of Maternity LeaveInconsistencies in Administration of Maternity Leave PoliciesIt Is All in the TimingTransition Back to WorkChild CareBreast-Feeding, Pumping, and the WorkplaceUnmet Needs and Professional ConcernsChapter 9 The Other VoicesStudents Who Are Mothers: Is It Better to Have Children at a Younger Age?Fathers Who Utilized Paternity LeaveChallenges Faced by Same-Sex Couples Who Decide to Become ParentsWomen Who Decided Not to Have ChildrenUnsupportive Versus Supportive Colleagues—The Stereotypes and BiasesAdministrative Views—Rules Versus DiscretionAppendixReferencesChapter 10 An International Comparison—The Other KingdomsWhat Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Parental Leave Benefits Are Offered in Other Countries? Why Is the United States Lagging behind Other Countries in Providing Maternity Leave Benefits? ReferencesChapter 11 Progress: Baby StepsFederal Maternity Leave PolicyState Maternity Leave PoliciesPaid Leave in the StatesUnpaid and Partially Paid Leave in the StatesLocal Government Maternity Leave PoliciesPrivate Sector Maternity Leave Policies and Best PracticesReferencesChapter 12 Conclusion: Can the Fairy Tale Be Realized or Should It Be Rewritten? What Are the Obstacles to a Happy Ending for Our Daughters?What Can We Reasonably Expect to Change within Our Organizations?What Is Best for Society?Restoring the Fairy TaleAppendixReferencesIndex

"Addressing a gap in the public administration literature, Maternity Leave, Second Edition is very well researched and covers a lot of ground, from work–life balance, legislation related to pregnancy and maternity leave, birthrates, fertility rates, women’s health, comparing international parental leave policies, to presenting in-depth profiles of women who have confronted challenges while utilizing maternity leave. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the topic of maternity leave." —Meghna Sabharwal, University of Texas at Dallas, USA"Gordon and Rauhaus provide a truly comprehensive approach to the study of maternity leave. This book is a must read, not only for scholars and policy makers, but anyone interested in—or affected by—pregnancy and maternity leave policies." —Mary McThomas, University of California, Irvine, USA"This edition delivers a truly definitive exploration of maternity leave. Looking back and leaning forward, this book leaves no corner unexamined. Personnel administrators, those who teach, or simply those interested in understanding parental leave for personal use will appreciate Gordon and Rauhaus’s depth and insights." —Hillary J. Knepper, Pace University, New York, USA"Victoria Gordon and Beth M. Rauhaus’s insight and discoveries are eye-opening. Their ideas and solutions can help break the glass ceiling, support modern families, and boost the economy. I hope every executive manager and policy maker reads it and, in turn, creates the change we need." —Elena Donovan Mauer, Parenting Writer and Editor, New York, USA

Victoria Gordon is a professor in the Department of Political Science MPA program at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. She earned her doctor of public administration degree from the University of Illinois-Springfield. Her areas of research interest include municipal finance and human resources management.Beth M. Rauhaus is an assistant professor of public administration and the MPA Program Coordinator in the Department of Social Sciences at Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi. She holds a PhD in public administration and policy from Mississippi State University. Much of her research explores gender representation and diversity in the public sector.

• List of FiguresList of TablesPrefaceAcknowledgmentsThe AuthorsChapter 1 Introduction: What Have We Done to Our Daughters?Maternity Leave—An Unresolved Conversation? Are Maternity Leave Expectations and Realities Mismatched?ReferencesChapter 2 Work–Life BalanceDefining and Refining Work–Life BalanceThe Benefits to Organizations with Work–Life Balance PoliciesWork–Life Balance Employee Benefits for a Diverse WorkforceReferencesChapter 3 Background: Understanding the Legislative Intent and Symbolism of Public PoliciesIn the Beginning: The Pregnancy Discrimination Act The Tax Code and Child Care and Child Tax CreditsThe Promises and Problems of the Family and Medical Leave ActThe Patient Protection and Affordable Care ActThe Economic, Social, and Symbolic Implications of Maternity Leave PoliciesAppendixReferencesChapter 4 The Evolution and Devolution of Maternity Leave as an Employee BenefitTrends in Birthrates, Fertility Rates, Employment Patterns, and Use of Maternity Leave BenefitsTypes of Maternity Leave Taken—Paid and UnpaidTypes of Paternity and Parental Leave PoliciesExamples of Maternity Leave PoliciesAntenatal Leave and Short-Term Disability LeaveNo Leave and Permanent Exit from the WorkplaceReferencesChapter 5 Women’s Health Care and the WorkplaceHealth Insurance for Women of Childbearing AgeFertility IssuesIntended and Unintended PregnanciesPregnancy and WorkPregnancy and Factors Impacting Infant MortalityDelivery, Maternal Mortality, and MorbidityMaternity Leave and Infant MortalityMother’s Return to Work and Breast-FeedingWell-Baby Doctor VisitsPostpartum IssuesOptimal Length of Maternity LeaveThe Baby’s PerspectiveThe Need for a Holistic Approach to Women’s HealthReferencesChapter 6 Research ApproachThe Methodology: Why Qualitative Research? Analysis of the InterviewsStudy LimitationsThe Participants: Who Are These Women?Description of the In-Depth Interview QuestionsReferencesChapter 7 The Interviews: Profiles of Women and Their Perceptions and ExperiencesEmployees of Public UniversitiesEmployees of Private UniversitiesEmployees of the Pharmaceutical IndustryReferencesChapter 8 The Themes: How Women Cope with the Myths and Realities of Maternity LeaveInconsistencies in Administration of Maternity Leave PoliciesIt Is All in the TimingTransition Back to WorkChild CareBreast-Feeding, Pumping, and the WorkplaceUnmet Needs and Professional ConcernsChapter 9 The Other VoicesStudents Who Are Mothers: Is It Better to Have Children at a Younger Age?Fathers Who Utilized Paternity LeaveChallenges Faced by Same-Sex Couples Who Decide to Become ParentsWomen Who Decided Not to Have ChildrenUnsupportive Versus Supportive Colleagues—The Stereotypes and BiasesAdministrative Views—Rules Versus DiscretionAppendixReferencesChapter 10 An International Comparison—The Other KingdomsWhat Maternity Leave, Paternity Leave, and Parental Leave Benefits Are Offered in Other Countries? Why Is the United States Lagging behind Other Countries in Providing Maternity Leave Benefits? ReferencesChapter 11 Progress: Baby StepsFederal Maternity Leave PolicyState Maternity Leave PoliciesPaid Leave in the StatesUnpaid and Partially Paid Leave in the StatesLocal Government Maternity Leave PoliciesPrivate Sector Maternity Leave Policies and Best PracticesReferencesChapter 12 Conclusion: Can the Fairy Tale Be Realized or Should It Be Rewritten? What Are the Obstacles to a Happy Ending for Our Daughters?What Can We Reasonably Expect to Change within Our Organizations?What Is Best for Society?Restoring the Fairy TaleAppendixReferencesIndex

"Addressing a gap in the public administration literature, Maternity Leave, Second Edition is very well researched and covers a lot of ground, from work–life balance, legislation related to pregnancy and maternity leave, birthrates, fertility rates, women’s health, comparing international parental leave policies, to presenting in-depth profiles of women who have confronted challenges while utilizing maternity leave. This book is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the topic of maternity leave." —Meghna Sabharwal, University of Texas at Dallas, USA"Gordon and Rauhaus provide a truly comprehensive approach to the study of maternity leave. This book is a must read, not only for scholars and policy makers, but anyone interested in—or affected by—pregnancy and maternity leave policies." —Mary McThomas, University of California, Irvine, USA"This edition delivers a truly definitive exploration of maternity leave. Looking back and leaning forward, this book leaves no corner unexamined. Personnel administrators, those who teach, or simply those interested in understanding parental leave for personal use will appreciate Gordon and Rauhaus’s depth and insights." —Hillary J. Knepper, Pace University, New York, USA"Victoria Gordon and Beth M. Rauhaus’s insight and discoveries are eye-opening. Their ideas and solutions can help break the glass ceiling, support modern families, and boost the economy. I hope every executive manager and policy maker reads it and, in turn, creates the change we need." —Elena Donovan Mauer, Parenting Writer and Editor, New York, USA