The French do it, so why can't we?

Regarding the article ``Wanted: Quality Parents With Money. No Pay Provided,'' Jan. 13, I would like to mention that in France people who have raised at least three children (including adopted ones) receive a 10 percent increase in their retirement benefits. Women who have raised at least three children also receive from the government a bonus of two additional years of contribution to the retirement fund. This is designed to acknowledge the debt owed by the country to parents who have invested a great amount of time and money into raising children (this comes in addition to generous family allowances received by parents until children reach age 18). Why not adopt such ideas in the US? Jean-Francois Briere, Albany, N.Y.

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