Women definitely cannot always take leave for maternity. They can if they work for a place that falls under FMLA rules, but not if they don't. Not being paid is

Women definitely cannot always take leave for maternity. They can if they work for a place that falls under FMLA rules, but not if they don't. Not being paid is generally equal to not being able to take leave if you are low-income. Healthcare is not always provided by the employer, and the cost may be more than your paycheck if you want a family plan. Literally - I've worked such a job. The weekly cost was more than I brought home working 40 hours a week for a family plan: The individual cost was a very good chunk of the paycheck. This was not a high-paying job. Not only that, but it may be the bare minimum of insurance, rendering it basically major medical only. Lots of places won't do a surgery or screening without your copayment upfront, and this is a real issue. Jobs don't fire you becasue you are sick: They fire you for not having good enough attendance. This includes nearly everything, including you or your children being sick. These aren't abnormal in any sense.