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FAMILY-FRIENDLY OBAMA. Dana reports that "Obama [argued for] expanding the terms of the pro-choice debate beyond access to abortion, contraception, and comprehensive sexuality education and into a larger discussion about family planning and work-life balance for women. He called for 'updating the social contract' with gender pay equity, paid maternal leave, and longer school hours that make it easier for mothers to work."
Now where have I heard that before? Ah yes. Karen Kornbluh has been arguing for a new, family-friendly progressivism for years now. And she just happens to be Barack Obama's policy director. So if you want a glimpse of where these ideas are headed, you may want to check out her Democracy manifesto on creating a social insurance system keyed to the needs of modern families, or her Washington Monthly article on the need for workplaces to become more family friendly. I've long been a fan of this approach, and Kornbluh's involvement in Obama's policy machine is one of my main reasons for faith in his instincts.
--Ezra Klein
COMMENTS (2)
Kornbluh's manifesto is something I've read a few times and is well worth it -- some truly terrific stuff.
Along her thoughts is one thing I would like to see more of: paternal paid time off.
Don't get me wrong -- mothers deserve every single second they get (personally, I'd like to see moms get about 6 months PTO, but I'm weird like that).
But more than a cursory few days or even a whole week would be nice for the fathers out there. Perhaps four to eight weeks would be perfect, IMHO. Even more so now that so many dads my age (mid-thirties) are much more plugged in and provide much more assistance than our fathers did.
Just my 2ยข ... keep the change.
Posted by: Mark D | July 17, 2007 3:00 PM
And to throw in my 2 cents as well:
It helps to keep in mind that America has become demographically diverse---there are many households that consist of one or two adults with no children.
I'm not entirely sure how this fits into this debate, but I'd be sure to include them in any dicussion of work/life balance.
Posted by: Alan | July 17, 2007 4:29 PM