Abstract

Mother-infant interactions are critical for the infant’s development across multiple domains, including neurocognitive, linguistic, social, and motor skills. Paid maternity leave has been shown to facilitate positive motherinfant interactions, fostering secure attachment and attentive parenting. This qualitative study explores the cultural values and experiences of Japanese American mothers regarding paid maternity leave and their childcare practices. Four mothers participated in a survey examining their experiences with paid maternity leave, mother-infant bonding, and the challenges of balancing work and family life. Thematic analysis revealed five themes: positive mother-infant experiences and increased awareness of infant milestones, bonding and social support, difficulty balancing home life and work, positive parenting experiences with paid maternity leave, and remaining flaws with the paid maternity leave policy. Participants reported increased attachment and awareness of their infants’ developmental milestones, supported by the financial security and time provided by paid maternity leave. Social support from family and community played a significant role in mitigating the stress of balancing work and home responsibilities. However, participants highlighted challenges such as cultural stigma and workplace pressures, which contributed to maternal stress and burnout. Despite these challenges, paid maternity leave was perceived positively, allowing mothers to spend crucial time with their infants and support their development. This study underscores the importance of paid maternity leave in fostering healthy mother-infant interactions and highlights the unique cultural factors influencing Japanese American mothers’ experiences. Understanding these cultural values is essential for developing policies that support diverse maternal needs and promote positive developmental outcomes for children.