During the 2000s, young children, aged six and under, of parents living in California, USA who are granted government funded paid leave are positively impacted mentally, in comparison to young children, aged six and under, from middle and low income families living in Louisiana, USA, who are not granted government funded paid leave. Paid leave, or lack thereof, impacts families across the entire country, and it greatly depends on their economic status. Children of parents who received paid leave flourished mentally and excelled in school later in life. On the other hand, children of parents who were not as fortunate to receive paid leave do not develop as fast or as happily; the United States government consistently ignores this issue, neglecting families who are in need of government funded paid leave.
