I read a couple of comments that say this is a step in the right direction to reverse the demographic trend in most developed countries of decreased fertility.

I read a couple of comments that say this is a step in the right direction to reverse the demographic trend in most developed countries of decreased fertility. I don't think that we will ever be able to compensate a couple and mother in particular for the cost of bearing children simply because we have made child rearing so expensive. I am not talking about education or housing costs but rather the opportunity cost. I don't think there is any way to adequately compensate couples for the loss in career opportunities and wages that they forgoe by choosing to instead spend time raising children. The unfortunate thing is that the more financially capable a couple is to raise children the less likely they are to do so probably because of the increased opportunity cost. I am not sure even the most generous maternity leave policies will be able to fix that.