• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · Parenting

Is Crowdfunding To Pay For Maternity Leave the New Normal?

With no mandated paid maternity leave, what's an expectant mom's best option?
Is Crowdfunding To Pay For Maternity Leave the New Normal?
KidStock
By Tanvier Peart · Updated October 27, 2020
When you’re pregnant, you should be thinking about baby names, what type of crib you should buy and strollers. And sadly, many expectant mothers in the US seem to be more concerned about how soon after delivery they need to head back to the office. As much as we pride ourselves on being one of the best and baddest countries in the world, as it stands, the United States is the only developed nation that doesn’t offer paid maternity leave. With only 12 percent of non-government employees having access to paid parental leave — including the 41 percent of black women who have access to paid maternity leave, compared to 50 percent of white women who do — something’s gotta give. Moms-to-be have been looking for ways to find a solution that allows them to care for their newborn baby and take the necessary time to recover from labor and delivery. One trend that seems to be on the rise is crowdfunding maternity leave. Folks are receiving donations that will help them stay at home for a period of time to care for their child. Turning to popular sites like GoFundMe.com, families are being gifted hundreds and thousands of dollars to help with their endeavors. It certainly does not equate to weeks away from your job — receiving your paid salary or wage — but it’s something. The National Partnership for Women and Families highlights the benefits of paid family leave that include stronger health and well-being, and being able to better provide for your child. In addition, access to paid parental leave can help reduce the need for public assistance as mothers and fathers are less likely to need financial support to pay for their bills and immediate needs. It also encourages more mothers to return to work, which can translate to less company turnover. When I first heard about pregnant women crowdfunding to pay for maternity leave, I was frustrated. (Hell, I still am!) I know there are new moms out there who pop out babies without batting an eyelash, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a big problem on our hands. We need paid parental leave, period. When I was pregnant with both of my sons (I had one in 2014 and the other in 2015—crazy, I know), I was freelancing. I did my best to work around the clock so I could set myself up to try to have some semblance of “maternity leave.” (I recall turning in an assignment the day after I gave birth to my second child). Now that I work for a company that offers weeks of paid maternity leave, I’m beyond thankful, though the jury is still out on if I can convince my husband about having a third kid. Sadly, I have many friends who work for companies that offer benefits except paid leave to care for a new child. Personally, I don’t think a parent is “irresponsible” for having a child and being frightened at the thought of not having access to this much needed company benefit, especially after he or she puts in countless hours each week to maintain productivity and expectations. The fact that folks are crowdsourcing to pay for maternity leave — because none is available — shows there’s a major problem that needs addressing. What are your thoughts?
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now