The Motherhood Penalty
Jessica D. Winder
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The motherhood penalty is a well-documented phenomenon observed worldwide in various industries and countries. As a soon-to-be mom of twins, this issue has been top of mind for me lately. It comes up in almost every pregnancy book, article, TV show, and podcast I consume.
Unlike most developed countries worldwide, the United States does not guarantee paid annual leave, paid time off for illness or family care, or paid parental leave. These policies could make balancing work and family responsibilities easier for mothers.
Women who take just one year off from work earn 39% less than women who do not! WTF is going on here?!?
The problem stems from many factors, including sexist assumptions about women's commitment to their careers, lack of support for working moms, and the expectation that moms will magically handle all the household and childcare duties.
So, you're telling me that once I pop out a couple of kids, my career is gonna take a nosedive? Fantastic news! I mean, who wouldn't want to trade in their fancy job title and a hefty paycheck for a life of dirty diapers and constant exhaustion? Sign me up! (Said no one ever! ??)?
Research shows that women with children are paid less than those without children. And the more kids you have, the bigger the pay gap grows. So, not only do I get to deal with the joys of motherhood, but I also get to make less money while doing it??
Apparently, mothers are also more likely to be hired for jobs but offered lower salaries than non-mothers. Because nothing screams "ideal candidate" like a sleep-deprived, milk-stained shirt-wearing mom who can barely keep her eyes open during an interview.
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But wait, there's more! The motherhood penalty is also caused by discrimination. Employers may unconsciously assume that moms are less committed to their careers or are unavailable for work due to their caregiving responsibilities. Who wouldn't want to hire someone with those assumptions about them, right?
And, of course, let's not forget the lack of workplace policies that support working mothers. No paid parental leave or flexible work arrangements? No problem! Piece of cake!
But fear not, dear mothers, there are ways to mitigate the motherhood penalty! Just hope and pray that your company offers paid parental leave, flexible work arrangements, and on-site childcare. Because we all know how easy it is to find affordable and reliable childcare, right?
Oh, and let's not forget about society shifting its attitudes and expectations around motherhood and parenting. Because that's totally going to happen overnight. Who am I kidding?
All jokes aside, the motherhood penalty is a real issue that affects women's careers and earning potential. We need to do better as a society to support working mothers and make sure they're not being penalized for having children. Let's work together to make sure that all moms have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed both at work and at home.
It's time to throw out those outdated gender stereotypes and embrace the qualities that truly make a great leader. That's right, we need to start valuing empathy, nurturing, and collaboration in the workplace - and who better embodies these traits than the queens of multitasking themselves, mothers? The time for equality is now, and it starts with everyone.
Are you ready to join the movement?!
Artificial Intelligence Analyst | AI Agent | AI Content Writer??@Melise Online Services
1 年Yes, I am a mom to a child with "extra" needs and the balance between work and home life is strenuous and difficult sometimes. Especially, when babysitters cancel! I decided to work at home and develop my talents into a new career and I must admit, this seems to be the missing piece to the puzzle! I require a flexible schedule and now I have one! Moms should not be penalized in the workplace.
Registered Nurse; Nurse Writer
1 年I feel like I am stuck in a revolving door. One is should I exit at my place of employment so that I can support my children, give them more of what they want, be able to take them places and explore life so they are aware of their future possibilities, or should I exit the door to give them more of me, more time, more love, more nurturing, tend to them when they are ill and only Momma will do, when trauma of the past takes over and they need a mental day, work on their home so its comfortable and calm. The struggle is so real and overwhelming, causing severe anxiety at times. As a single mom with three bonus babies, even in my 40's things have not changed since my grown bio children were little. ??
HR Professional with International experience across a broad spectrum of Business sectors and company sizes. Now utilising my skills in the UK Department for Business and Trade.
1 年As I seek a return to my profession, I really feel this! Having taken time away from paid employment due to being an expat and a mother - I'm working hard on my networking now that I know we are remaining in the US. As an HR professional from the UK, I really see the difference in culture around working parents here in the US. Of course, it's not without its issues there, but there are more legislative protections and benefits in the UK.
Engineering Manager @ Albert Heijn | Leadership Trainer @ Avagasso | Author | Complexity Buster & Motivator | Keynote Speaker | Certified Leadership Coach | 20+ in Software Engineering | 15+ in Leadership | ? Addict
1 年I was feeling the positive change in the world during Covid when fathers could experience first-hand what many, many career mothers faced for years! Finally, it was ok to have a kid pop up in a meeting or leave early to pick up a kid from school or work from home. I’m worried that these wonderful learnings, those that would have helped fill the pay gap, are becoming forgotten as Covid becomes more historic than present. This saddens me.