family values

I have been thinking a lot about what family values are, and who in our society actually embodies them.

It seems to me that family values= time + intentional time + teaching. Or, obviously, valuing the family. Since the last election was won on this principle* (and we have been following presidential politics closely these days) I think that the idea(l) resonates with the majority of Americans.

I have been watching a lot of videos and reading about normal folk raising their own roofs and making homes that are environmentally friendly and tons cheaper. Again and again they say how this allows them to not have to work to pay off a mortgage, but to work less and live more. Many of them also talk about the importance of being with their children.

Environmentalists? Hippies? Family values?

Because family values has so much to do with family time, I thought I would compare how we stacked up against other "non-family values" countries with maternity leave:

Canada: 15 weeks of maternity and 35 weeks of parental leave with 55% of average earnings to a maximum of $413.

New Zealand: either parent is entitled to a period of leave of 52 weeks while ensuring job protection. However, this leave is unpaid and is restricted to employees who have worked for at least 12 months for the same employer

Sweden: 450 days of paid parental leave and provisions for paid breastfeeding breaks during a working day for all nursing mothers, as well as crèche facilities.

France: 16 weeks of maternity benefits at 84 per cent of the minimum daily wage for the 1st and for the 2nd child. For subsequent children the leave is 24 weeks.

The United States: 6 weeks paid and up to a total of 12 weeks unpaid.

So. Family values.

*Unfortunately, the platform that got our current President elected was erroneous and, let's face it, based on gay marriage and abortion.
What he has done is enact bills that have hurt senior citizens and children.
Kinda reminds me of another leader who sough to purify (the Jews from) the homeland by preaching family values.