In this episode of One in Ten, host Teresa Huizar engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Lindsey Bullinger of Georgia Tech about research linking paid family leave (PFL) to reduced infant child maltreatment. Bullinger explains why infancy is a critical period; infants have the highest maltreatment rates and PFL typically provides 6-12 weeks of paid bonding time plus income support. Using nationwide data (2004-2020, excluding COVID-related reporting drops) and early state programs such as California (2004) and New Jersey (2009), the study finds PFL adoption is associated with lower infant maltreatment reports and substantiations across neglect and physical abuse, with notable reductions reported by social services and medical providers.
Time Topic
00:00 Can Leave Prevent Abuse
01:21 Why Study Maltreatment
02:43 Why Infancy Matters
04:52 Infant Risk Factors
06:39 US Leave Policy Landscape
10:43 Why Employers Don’t Offer
16:28 Known Benefits For Babies
18:26 Study Design And Data
20:55 Key Findings On Reports
23:05 Mechanisms And Removals
26:15 Policy Impact And Messaging
32:56 Next Research On Cash
37:15 Final Takeaways And Wrap
Resources
More than Snuggles: The Effect of Paid Family Leave on Infant Maltreatment - Lindsey Rose Bullinger, Kerri M. Raissian, Bart Klika, Melissa Merrick, Eric Thibodeau, 2026
Support the show
Did you like this episode? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
