Women earn almost as much as men—as long as they don’t have kids, according to this New York Times article, by David Leonhardt. It’s not like we don’t have enough to do, but apparently we have to add activism to our to-do lists. Mothers and fathers have to push for workplace flexibility. Kids and work are facts of life. Not only are mothers underpaid and underappreciated, but employers miss out when they exclude mothers from advanced positions.

Therefore, we must suggest/support/demand the following:

Flexible hours, work locations.
Work does not always have to be done 9 to 5 and in one place.

Job-sharing.
Two parents can share one job. Both employees are productive and no one gets resentful and burned out.

Childcare at work.
The employer has a happy team member, the baby is happy to see the parent more, and the parent can focus on work because baby is safe and nearby.

Fathers be valued.
If fathers can work less, mothers can work more. Also, if we don’t want men to own the workplace, we have to make room for them as primary caregivers of their own children. There’s no reason everyone can’t be fulfilled in their careers and their families.

Comments are closed