Several colleges and universities are looking into adopting new policies that would provide maternity and paternity leave for students at the graduate level. The issue came to light after graduate students began pressing the schools to offer some type of maternity and paternity leave to those students who get pregnant or give birth during the school year.

Overall, only a very few universities and colleges offer some type of maternity or paternity leave, and those that do usually have strict limitations. For those graduates who do get pregnant or give birth during the semester, taking time off before or after the baby is born can hurt all the progress they’ve made on their degree. Some students have expressed concerns that taking time off could result in getting kicked off of projects, falling out of favor with their professors, and losing those their student status. Losing one’s student status is the arguably the biggest obstacles these students face, as it could affect their student visas, health insurance plans, and student loans. Others are afraid to take time off because they’re scared of falling too far behind on their work.

So what do they do? Instead of taking time off before the baby is due they work up until the very last possible minute, and as soon as the baby is born they rush back to their studies and research. These students should at least spend a few weeks, if not a few months, resting, recovering, and spending time with their baby, but their worry over how it will affect their work supersedes those needs.

Fortunately, more and more universities are recognizing this is an important issue that needs to be addressed, and have begun discussing possible policies that could implemented. Let’s hope all colleges and universities will soon follow in their footsteps and adopt policies that protect these students. After all, why should they be punished for wanting to have a family?

Ellerin Hutchinson offers experienced legal counsel and representation in multiple areas of family law. If you’d like to speak with a Jacksonville family law attorney at our office about a particular issue, please contact our office today by calling(904) 866-4489.