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Men Need Paid Leave, Too

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By VOW member Kimi Honzaki

Shortly after my second daughter was born, my family and I moved across the country. We were far away from other family members, so there was no one to turn to for help with my newborn. I also struggled with postpartum depression and other health issues during this time. My husband was the sole family breadwinner at the time and couldn’t take time off. We barely saw him.

I went to Washington to tell our congressional legislators about this needlessly difficult time in my life to illustrate the need for a national paid leave policy. Because my husband didn’t have access to paid leave, I didn’t get the help I needed to recover my health, and he didn’t get the opportunity to bond with our newborn.

The conversation around care and paid leave focuses on women. We are generally thought-of as the ones providing care for our elders, infants and other family members. Statistically, that’s true. Approximately 75 percent of the caregivers in the US are women and women spend nearly 50 percent more time caregiving than men. As a woman of faith, I deeply believe that we are responsible for one another and should have easy access to care from our loved ones. I hold this belief for men as well as for women. Men also need paid leave.

In my profession as an educator and Spanish-speaking birth doula, I support mothers and I’m blessed to help bring new life into this world. In my work, I hear the stories of scores of Arizonans who have been injured or have become sick on their jobs. My work has been filled with both happiness and worry because I see many who can’t take time off. If they could, it would enable them to better care for and bond with their babies and their families. This gap in care for the families of newborns is something that should concern all of us.

I also believe that we’re called to create solutions for individuals and societies. We must speak out if we see something wrong or that needs improvement. We are obligated to raise our voices and act to create positive change that benefits the greater good. That is why I’m going to Washington. I want to contribute to creating a better, more compassionate Arizona that is more supportive of families needing time for physical recovery or for bonding with children.

We can all work to create a better Arizona. Contact your legislators. Let them know how the lack of paid leave impacts your family and how vital it is for Arizona workers to have access to paid leave. Strong families are the backbone of a strong Arizona. Tell your legislators to support paid leave legislation. 

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