Diane wrote:
<<<A year paid maternity leave.........someone must pay for that leave. Who
whould it be? the employer? The Government(which means you and I)>>>

<<<....I know woman who have done many of these things, raised healthy
babies, breastfed and worked w/o forcing employers and others to share in the
lifestyle she (her family) chooses.>>>

Yes, I do too, and yet ...what about the sad and unfortunate fact that all of
us do indeed end up sharing in the reprecussions of those who have, for
whatever reason,  a *lifestyle* of non-attachment?  I happen to think it's in
my OWN best interest to see to it that ALL children get the best start
(meaning a preferrably nursing mother to attach to in the early years) so
that my own family never has to end up face to face with a psychopathic
criminal.  Or a psychopathic doctor, (no offense to the great ones on
Lactnet!) teacher, policeman, neighbor, judge, politician, son-in-law, etc.

Therefore, as a taxpayer I would far rather pay for maternity leave than a
whole list of other things I'm paying for now.  Like astronomical and
ever-growing prison costs, for starters...  I think we need to make a major
statement about what we think is important and valued-  ie: *caring for the
children.*  IMHO, considering how far off-base things are now, it just MIGHT
take subsidized maternity leave to make that statement heard!   I really
think a measly six weeks of maternity leave is an insult to babies and
disrespectful of the mother-baby bond.
Whew!!! off the soapbox- Sue Jacoby, IBCLC