Now it’s the economy’s turn to flame the mommy wars
Nicole McMullin
Jul 22, 2008
There is an interesting article today in the New York Times about how the current economy has impacted women in the workplace. For the first time since the women’s movement, the number of women in the workplace is in decline.
The article references layoffs and overall payroll decreases, such as in manufacturing, as some of the reasons why the number of women working outside of the home is in decline. Low wages and undesirable employment are mentioned as well.
But what stood out for me in this article are a couple of notes about why researchers previously thought women left the workplace.
According to the article, when this downward trend was first noticed the assumption was that women were leaving the workplace to take care of their families. More research suggests otherwise.
Does this recast the mommy wars? Are women debating an issue that may not really exist? And when we debate it, are we being honest?
A quote from the article is key.
“A woman gets laid off and she stays home for six months with her kids. She doesn’t admit that she is staying home because she could not get another acceptable job.”
How true - but the opposite is true as well.
My husband does not have a job, but he is not “watching our daughter,” or “staying home with the baby.”
He is “job hunting,” and “trying to find the right opportunity.” How dare anyone cast him as Mr. Mom.
When women get together and have the stay-home or go-to-work debate, are we always honest about why we’re at home in the first place? Or for that matter, why we choose to stay?
Are undesirable jobs and low wages catalysts that send more women home to be with their families, as opposed to the overwhelming urge to be a stay-at-home mom?
Return to the Parenting blog »
However when you factor in daycare if you have multiple kids and the type of job a woman who has not been in the workforce for a while can get it’s hardly worth it that’s true. I just can’t imagine letting someone else take care of my kids all day and be the influence on them unless i was certain of the person influencing them because it was actually a friend or family member taking care of them.
Enzara of New York
Nov. 13, 2008 at 03:17 AM
I just can’t imagine letting someone else take care of my kids all day and be the influence on them unless i was certain of the person influencing them because it was actually a friend or family member taking care of them. BUT…I have always been poor so i wasn’t giving up much i suppose- my standard of living didn’t lower. I recently talked to a friend who if she stays home would be 50,000 poorer- that’s hard to swing in this day and age.
Enzara of New York
Nov. 13, 2008 at 03:11 AM
I work…because I have to work. My husband owns his own mortgage company. There is nothing harder than leaving my little boy in the care of someone else for 40+ hours per week. But, the alternative is that we sell our house, our cars and give up eating. I don’t think that will benefit my son either. So, I drag myself into the workplace every day. Once, I am here, its enjoyable, but by lunch time, I am headed over to daycare to steal an hour with my boy. Then, by 4, I am chomping at the bit to get him back into my arms.
Levi's mom of Richmond
Sep. 9, 2008 at 03:29 PM
i think there are several factors that go into deciding to stay at home. I think most women do it because originally they consider it the right thing to do. However when you factor in daycare if you have multiple kids and the type of job a woman who has not been in the workforce for a while can get it’s hardly worth it that’s true. I just can’t imagine letting someone else take care of my kids all day and be the influence on them unless i was certain of the person influencing them because it was actually a friend or family member taking care of them. BUT…I have always been poor so i wasn’t giving up much i suppose- my standard of living didn’t lower. I recently talked to a friend who if she stays home would be 50,000 poorer- that’s hard to swing in this day and age.
Becky Suder
Aug. 1, 2008 at 07:01 AM
Post a comment