For as great as the USA is, there are some areas in which we would be wise to follow the example of others.
For example, having babies.
I know Germany is probably the last place you’d think of turning to for a good example, but read this.
“Parents who take time off from work to care for newborns can receive two-thirds of their net monthly salary, up to a maximum of 1,800 euros, for 12 months. If the other parent takes a further two months off, the benefit is extended to 14 months.”
That sounds pretty good to me! I’ve always planned on being a stay-at-home mom once I start having kids, but this kind of provision would make it almost a certainty.
If you think about it, this step taken by the German government is not only encouraging its people to have more children, it is also encouraging (and making it financially possible) for them to stay home with their babies during that first year.
Seriously, this idea is the best idea (in terms of personal, fincancial, and family-oriented benefits) since the Spanish invented the siesta.
Why, my fellow Americans, must we insist on being workaholics?
Dang. I want to live in Germany!
Katie
December 29th, 2006