This Assignment Does Not Count Toward The Final Grade

This assignment does not count toward the final grade. Due Saturday by 11:59pm

This assignment does not count toward the final grade. Due Saturday by 11:59pm Points 0 Submitting a file upload File Types doc, docx, and pdf Submit Assignment For this milestone, you will select a final proposition from your topic paper and create a complete argument. You will complete a three-part topic paper before the deadline on Friday, February 28th at 11:59pm. 1. Apply principles of argumentation to a contemporary controversial issue 2.

Construct an essay and argue for a side of the issue You will complete the following components for this assignment: 1. A rough draft of a complete argumentative essay The essay will be 4-5 double-spaced pages (~ words). The essay will use APA format for citations and references, including a separate reference page that does not count toward to length of the essay. The essay will be in 12-point Time New Roman font with 1†margins. Choose a final proposition (draw on instructor feedback) from your topic paper Argument Essay - Rough Draft — 1 page — 4 pages 2020/3/28 1:42 proposition list and develop a claim in support of or opposed to your final proposition.

Decide which side of the issue you want to argue to support. This is an exercise in evaluating evidence, analyzing claims, and building a case. I do not expect you to change your mind or political position. Rather, I expect you to genuinely research the arguments, evidence, and rhetorical tools (i.e., pathos, ethos) that are used by those you disagree with to make their cases. Write an essay with effective grounds, backing, and warrants for your argument.

Research your topic to gain a sense of the major arguments made by each side of the issue’s stakeholders. Identify suitable backing that will strengthen your claims. Draw on the sources you identified in your annotated bibliography. Organize and analyze your research using the Toulmin model as a guideline for logical organization. Put together the best case you can for the proposition.

Think through whether your case has internal contradictions or is otherwise open to counterarguments. Provide a vision and story to give cohesion to your argument. Remember: If there was not a case to be made for both sides of an issue, the issue would cease to be an issue because the matter would be settled. For example, the sun rising in the east is not an issue. There is no reasonable evidence to contradict the assertion and the vast majority of the world throughout history has accepted this as an unchanging fact.

Issues are issues because both sides can make arguments since the matters have not resolved into broadly-accepted facts. I strongly recommend diagramming your argument and writing an outline to give your argument a logical progression before beginning writing your essay. Once you have completed researching your argument, write a formal essay creating your case. Provide the grounds, the warrant, claim(s), backing, reservations (if applicable), counter arguments, rebuttal to counter arguments, rhetorical strategies, and a vision of how the world is improved by your proposition being granted adherence. Write to make your argument, then carefully proofread and edit down.

Be succinct. Avoid unnecessary jargon or superfluous language. Be clear and get to the point. The audience you are attempting to persuade (me) wants to see clear, relate-able, and complete argumentation. I do not want to see obtuse, vague, wildly abstract, or confusing writing.

All sources must include an in-text citation and a reference on a separate references page. If you are directly quoting a source, your citation should look like this: According to Author A, "blah blah blah blah blah," (Last Name, Year, page #). If you are paraphrasing a source, your reference should look something like this: Author A (year) found that their research demonstrates support for blah blah blah (page #). If you are using multiple sources to back a claim, your citation should look like this: Surprisingly, this phenomenon is actually not that rare (Author A, year; Author B, year). If you include a citation, you must also include a reference. If you include a reference, you must also include a citation.

Citations point to references and your reference list tells your readers what evidence you have used. Reference pages should have References centered at the top of the page. Your references are then listed in alphabetical order by author last name. If there are multiple authors, use the first author listed to determine order. Here is an example of how a journal article reference should look: Author Last, First initial. (Year). Article title. Journal Title, Volume(issue):page #s. Ferguson, C. J., Konijn, E. A., Kaufman, J. C. (2015). She said/He said: A peaceful debate on video game violence. Psychology of Popular Media Culture, 4(4):.

Paper For Above instruction

The topic of paid maternity and parental leave remains a pressing issue in contemporary discourse, especially in countries like the United States where policies lag behind many developed nations. This essay advocates for the implementation of mandatory paid maternity leave in the United States, examining the societal, economic, and health-related benefits substantiated by extensive research and international examples. Through a structured argument grounded in the Toulmin model, this paper aims to demonstrate why the U.S. should reform its parental leave policies to support families more effectively and promote both child and maternal health, economic stability, and gender equity.

Introduction

The United States stands nearly alone among developed nations in its minimal provision for paid maternity leave. While most high-income countries recognize the importance of supporting new mothers through comprehensive paid leave policies, America's approach remains largely rooted in unpaid leave, imposing significant financial and emotional burdens on families. This disparity not only affects maternal and infant health but also perpetuates gender inequality and economic inequities. The pressing need for policy reform is underscored by extensive international evidence and societal trends emphasizing family well-being and workforce participation.

Evidence and Argumentation

Research from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) highlights the positive impacts of paid maternity leave, including improved maternal and child health outcomes, higher breastfeeding rates, and stronger parent-child bonds (Adema et al., 2016). For instance, countries like Finland and Sweden have established generous paid leave systems, which have been linked to better health and social indicators. Conversely, the absence of such policies in the U.S. exacerbates health disparities and increases economic strain on families. The data indicate that paid leave policies also have measurable economic benefits by reducing healthcare costs and enhancing workforce productivity (Gault & Hartmann, 2014).

Furthermore, survey research and case studies from California demonstrate tangible improvements in breastfeeding duration and maternal mental health after the implementation of paid family leave programs (Huang & Yang, 2015). Similar evidence from China underscores the global consensus on the benefits of paid maternity leave for infant development and maternal well-being (Jia et al., 2018). These examples serve as clear analogies illustrating that adopting such policies in the U.S. would yield comparable health and social benefits.

Counterarguments and Rebuttal

Opponents argue that mandating paid leave could impose substantial financial burdens on businesses, especially small enterprises, and might lead to reduced employment or increased costs. However, numerous studies suggest that the economic costs are manageable and offset by the long-term savings in healthcare and productivity (Gault & Hartmann, 2014). Additionally, provisions such as government subsidies or tax incentives can mitigate these fiscal concerns. Critics also claim that paid leave may reduce workforce flexibility or lead to potential abuse; yet, data from countries with robust paid leave systems indicate that these fears are largely unfounded, with high compliance and positive societal impacts (Petts et al., 2020).

Strategic Framework and Vision

Drawing from successful international models, especially those in Scandinavia, the U.S. can craft a paid parental leave policy tailored to its unique economic and cultural context. Finland's initiative to offer equitable parental leave to fathers and mothers exemplifies how policy can promote gender equality by encouraging paternal involvement, thereby challenging traditional gender roles and fostering shared parenting responsibilities (BBC News, 2020). The vision for the U.S. involves integrating paid leave into the broader framework of family-friendly workplace policies, supported by public awareness campaigns and employer incentives to ensure widespread adoption and acceptance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the evidence overwhelmingly supports the adoption of mandatory paid maternity and parental leave in the United States. Such policies are vital for improving maternal and infant health, reducing economic hardships, promoting gender equality, and strengthening family bonds. Given the successful international examples and extensive research backing these benefits, policymakers should prioritize the enactment of comprehensive paid leave legislation. Doing so will frame the U.S. as a leader in family support and workforce well-being, fostering a healthier, more equitable society.

References

• Adema, W., Clarke, C., & Frey, V. (2016). Paid parental leave and other supports for parents with young children: The United States in international comparison. International Social Security Review, 69(2), 29–51.
• Bryant, M. (2019). The US doesn't offer paid family leave -but will that change in 2020? The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
• Bryant, M. (2020). Maternity Leave: US Policy Is Worst on List of the World's Richest Countries. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com
• Delle Donne, A., Hatch, A., Carr, N. R., Aden, J., & Shapiro, J. (2019). Extended Maternity Leave and Breastfeeding in Active Duty Mothers. Pediatrics, 144(2), 1–8.
• Gault, B., & Hartmann, H. (2014). Paid Parental Leave in the United States: What the Data Tell Us. Cornell University.
• Huang, R., & Yang, M. (2015). Paid maternity leave and breastfeeding practice before and after California's implementation of the nation's first paid family leave program. Economics and Human Biology, 16, 45-59.
• Jia, N. Y., Dong, X. P., & Song, Y. (2018). Paid Maternity Leave and Breastfeeding in Urban China. Feminist Economics, 24(2), 31-53.
• McCloskey, A. M. (2016). A Plan for Parental Leave. National Review, 68(9), 18–21.
• Petts, R. J., Knoester, C., & Waldfogel, J. (2020). Fathers’ Paternity Leave-Taking and Children’s Perceptions of Father-Child Relationships in the United States. Sex Roles, 82(3/4), 173–188.
• BBC News. (2020). Finland to give dads same parental leave as mums. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news