Yes @insight-out indeed ...

"... encourage families to have children."

... a crisis in many western cultures, including America today (although we have yet to take the measures some others have, such as those you cite ...). Do you ever wonder why that is? I am asking for your perspective, from the way you were raised, what you have been taught there in your country and what you have been led to believe from your culture.

Yes, America does have maternity leave, but nothing like what you are enjoying. Frankly, it is new enough that I am not "up on it," but I think I am correct to say it is still left to organizations to set their own policy vs. having it mandated at the Federal level. And ... To be competitive in the marketplace for talented workers, it is offered ... All that to say six months is what I think I have heard, but not certain ... I think I've read some "cutting edge" workplaces are even starting to offer maternity leave for men ...

My wife stayed home with our children, so once again we are "outside the norm" on that front, as that is rare these days in America. I still remember the "hit" we took to our income, when she stopped working ... But, it was our free will decision and we have never regretted it. From what our children have chosen to say to us, they are aware of that and greatly appreciate it ...

P.S. It is Father's Day here in America tomorrow. If you wish to read what @roleerob is capable of, when feeling led to really "lay it out," you can read what I wrote to our church leaders here in my Father's Day post a year ago, on the topic of children and what they represent ...