Attitudes about Paid Parental Leave In the U.S.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional survey analysis; graded level 4 by design analogy for non-clinical research.
OpenAlex W3167610982 · doi:10.31235/osf.io/hd4ct
What was done
Using data from the General Social Survey, the authors analyzed attitudes among U.S. adults regarding paid parental leave availability, preferred leave durations, and government funding for leave. They examined how support differed across demographic and ideological factors, including age, political conservatism, gender, race, labor force participation, and attitudes toward dual-earner households.
What was found
The authors observed overall support for paid parental leave availability and for at least partial government funding. The only specific quantitative metric provided in the abstract is an average preferred duration of four months of paid leave. Older and more politically conservative respondents were less supportive of leave availability, longer durations, and government funding. In contrast, women, Black respondents, individuals not participating in paid labor, and those supporting dual-earner arrangements were more supportive of generous leave policies. No exact sample size, percentages, or effect sizes were reported in the abstract.
Why it matters
This study highlights a persistent discrepancy between public support for four-month government-funded paid parental leave and the lack of widespread national policy adoption in the United States.
Limits
The abstract does not provide the sample size, specific survey years, response rates, or quantitative effect sizes and confidence intervals. Findings rely on cross-sectional self-reported survey data, precluding causal inference.
Cited by
- supports Bipartisan polling indicates that roughly 80% of Americans support paid parental leave.