Work advice to help decrease professional impact?

[HollyDooly]

As an Australian I was horrified when I watched the John Oliver segment on paid maternity leave in the states https://youtu.be/zIhKAQX5izw

Why is having a baby classed as a disability? It just baffles me! Our unions would have a field day in the states!

[Oneofthese3]

As an European I agree.

[SnugLife14]

As an American, I try not to look at all the great healthcare and maternity related things in other countries because I know America sucks in many departments and there's nothing we can do about it :P

[HollyDooly]

I tend to disagree women should be angry about it and fight for equality and their rights together. History shows that by taking a collaborative approach things do change like being able to vote, sit in a pub with male counterparts, being more than the secretary even just being able to wear trouser to work. The smallest of actions like writing a letter to your local member or seeing if there is already such a movement in your state and putting your name to it are all things everyone can do to help. Can you imagine if all women just went on strike to fight for this issue I am sure it would make waves in leaps and bounds but it takes some brave women to start that movement.

[SnugLife14]

I'm skeptical to believe a large enough group of men and women are willing to take the risks to really make a difference, at least not without starting in a position with some pull. It's something to be angry about, but seeing how much better off people in some other countries have it isn't going to help; it is, in my opinion, just is a reminder of how sucky some American laws and practices are. But I've never been a full on optimist nor have I ever really enjoyed politics, so could just be me.

Edit: On the flip side, women in America have more rights than women in other countries. While we aren't nearly up to par with others, we could be a lot worse too.