What does it say about American society that the birth of a child can put a family on a path to poverty that can take years--even decades--to escape? It says things are terribly out of whack-- that policies do not reflect true priorities as a nation, perhaps because the political system is in such disrepair. The national failure to adopt family-friendly policies, strong antidiscrimination measures, and comprehensive health care is directly tied to the suffering many families face due to lost wages, crippling health care costs, and job insecurity. In the article, the author discusses the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) for pregnant mothers, the issues it presents, and changes that need to be made.