In August 2023, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the FAMILY Act (S.1714), federal legislation establishing a national paid family and medical leave program. Drawing on mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey captured firsthand experience with health, caregiving, and work-related leave. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan agreement on core paid leave protections — including up to 12 weeks of paid leave, job-return guarantees, and partial wage replacement — with more varied views on specific implementation provisions. The aggregated findings were shared with the public and Congressional legislators to inform deliberations on paid leave policy.
Related themes:
No items found.
Broad cross-partisan input: The survey reflects the perspectives of mothers from 41 states and across the political spectrum, providing a diverse national view on paid family and medical leave.
Strong agreement on core paid leave protections: Mothers across ideologies overwhelmingly agreed that employees should have access to up to 12 weeks of paid leave for health, caregiving, or military-related reasons.
Consensus on job protection: Mothers agreed that employees who have worked at the same job for more than 90 days should be able to return to their positions after paid leave without employer retaliation.
Support for partial wage replacement: Mothers across political backgrounds supported paid leave that replaces up to two-thirds of regular wages for full-time employees.
Broad support across employment types, with some variation: A majority of mothers supported providing paid leave regardless of company size, employment status, or self-employment, though support was lower among very conservative mothers compared with conservative mothers.
Source: Count on Mothers, Mothers' Views on the FAMILY Act, August 2023. Community panel survey of U.S. mothers, n=309. Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher.
Explore Count on Mothers reports — rapid polls and in-depth national studies.
Methodology Count on Mothers conducts nationally representative research with U.S. mothers, weighted to reflect the population and reported in aggregate. Research is led by a PhD + MPH team. Findings have informed policy, industry, and media, and entered the Congressional Record on childcare, paid leave, and technology policy.
From January through July 2024, Count on Mothers identified the issues mothers most want federal policymakers to address related to their children's health and safety. The two-stage study began with an open-ended question to mothers over six months, then tested the emerging themes through a structured follow-up survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum. Five issues consistently rose to the top — substance use, abortion and reproductive health, healthcare access and cost, food access and nutrition, and childcare affordability — with striking consistency across geography, education, and ideology in both what mothers prioritize and the underlying stresses shaping family life.
In June 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on major industries and corporate accountability — identifying which sectors mothers find most concerning for families and capturing open-ended feedback directed at corporate leaders. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey measured industry-level concern, sentiment toward business leadership, and the institutional pressure points families navigate daily. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan alignment on deep mistrust of corporate decision-making, with consistent concern that profit is prioritized over children's safety and family well-being.
The Impact of Childcare Costs on Families' Financial Security
In May 2024, Count on Mothers examined how childcare costs and access shape U.S. families' financial security — including effects on savings, work hours, net income, career advancement, and long-term earning potential. Drawing on a national sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey combined eight quantitative measures with an open-ended question inviting mothers to propose solutions. Findings show that childcare costs exert significant pressure on family finances, employment decisions, and long-term economic security — with patterns largely consistent across the political spectrum.
Mothers' Views on the PROTECT Act and Youth Vaping Recommendations
In April 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on federal recommendations for regulating e-cigarettes — including provisions from the PROTECT Act and the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations' Youth Vaping Epidemic Report — a study requested by the Subcommittee, led by Senator Richard Blumenthal. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of mothers across regions and the political spectrum, the survey captured firsthand experience with youth vaping and access to e-cigarette products. Mothers showed strong cross-partisan support for strengthened federal research, regulation, and enforcement to reduce youth e-cigarette use.
