PREGNANCY AND PARENTAL LEAVE BENEFITS IN THE UNITED-STATES AND CANADA- JUDICIAL DECISIONS AND LEGISLATION

This paper outlines the major judicial decisions and legislative initi atives that have shaped the growth of various types of maternity and p arental leave employment benefits in the United States and Canada and analyzes the differences and similarities in the United States and Can adian evolution of these benefits. It presents the major judicial argu ments in detail, because these arguments represent social and economic perspectives that shaped the labor market opportunities afforded wome n in the United States and Canada throughout the beginning and the mid dle of this century. It also highlights the interaction between judici al decisions and legislative initiatives in influencing the availabili ty of leave.