Parents across the world have been affected in many ways by the COVID-19 pandemic, but none more so than working mothers. While some parents were able to continue working, many- particularly mothers- faced making some very tough decisions.
Put their child in daycare? Quit their job? Leave their child home alone to fend for themselves while they were at work? These decisions were heart-wrenching for many, and working mothers are fed up.
A Staggering Statistic
It’s no question that a majority of working parents had to make some very big sacrifices due to the pandemic, but working mothers made up a huge part of that majority. As of September, four times as many women have left the workforce because of the pandemic than men.
Why is it that women have left the workforce at such a staggering rate? That’s because it’s proven that mothers are two times more likely to be the primary caregiver for their children than fathers. Even though women have made great strides over the last 100 years when it comes to equal rights, they are still the main ones in charge of running the household, which means fathers are the ones going to work when a pandemic hits.
Juggling it All
The struggle is real for working mothers. Juggling working from home with remote learning and all the other household tasks is nothing short of overwhelming most days. Those who still have to work outside of the home face different worries, like paying for unexpected childcare expenses and stressing about whether their child will get sick.
It’s a juggling act that most working mothers are fed up with. They want help- basic things like access to affordable childcare or more paid time off so they can be with their children instead of having to leave them home alone or pay an outrageous amount of money for emergency childcare.
Where We Go From Here
A vaccine has given us a light at the end of the tunnel, but the pandemic is far from over. Working mothers need more help from fathers, employers, and the government to get them through this time.