California does have 6 weeks of paid maternity leave. Some companies pay 100% but the state guarantees 60-70% depending on how much you make.
It's still a really short period of time compared to most developed countries. Here's a list (from 2012) I was able to find with a quick search:
https://m.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/05/22/maternity-leaves-arou...
According to the article, Japan provides 14 weeks. Germany provides 14 months.
So 6 weeks seems like a drop in the bucket on this issue.
They provide 14 weeks maternity, then top it up to a year for either parent (but is overwhelmingly taken by the mother):
> Japan also has childcare leave, which applies to both parents. This period begins after the guaranteed maternity leave mentioned earlier and runs until the child reaches the age of 1. This leave may be extended until the child reaches 14 months old, if both parents take leave, while it can extend to 18 months if only one parent takes leave. [1]
Agree on all your points. Canada would be another comparator, where there is 50 weeks (at 55% pay) or up to 84 weeks (at 33% pay) - and many employers will top that up.
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/maternity-leave-worldwide-20...
I worked for a company HQed in the valley. With much fanfare they announced their paid leave program.
A few months later my second child was born and I filled out the paperwork. HR returned it to me telling me to fill out the unpaid leave paperwork....and to write them a check for healthcare....