Businesses and Mom Have Economic Choices

Re “Kids or Cash: Why Force Women to Choose?” Opinion, May 12: I can understand in-house day-care centers, maternity leave, etc. They’re in a company’s interest. But why should a company make an exception for childbearing? What about employees who aren’t interested in childbearing or day care? What’s in it for them? Many would say childbearing--and rearing--is a privilege, not a right.

I think those who ask these things of a company have never themselves met a payroll. Someone has to pay for the worker’s absence. Would Ann Crittenden, if she ran a small business, willingly pay for someone’s pregnancy and formative-year absence? Should she be forced to pay? I believe we each have to make choices; it can’t be more simple than that.

Businesses and mothers-to-be should have choices. And they do.

Lee Bartkowski

Long Beach