Lack of Affordable Childcare Affects Working Mothers and Their Mothers
Care2Causes
This year, April 14 was designated as Equal Pay Day in the United States. It symbolized the day that women’s wages equaled the total amount men earned at the end of last year. The wage gap between women and men is based on the earnings as compared to white men. The gap increases and decreases depending on a woman’s race and where she lives. On average women earn 77 cents for each dollar men earn, with the gap increasing significantly with women of color.
The reasons for this are varied and complicated. In addition to systemic sexism and racism, there are other policies that make it harder for women throughout their careers to have consistent earning power. A common refrain is that women leave the workforce to have children. This is not because women want to – they often have no choice. The United States does not mandate paid family leave, leaving it up to companies to offer anything beyond the unpaid time under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Even for women delaying motherhood the pay gap presents challenges throughout their lives. Qualifying for car or home loans is more difficult as they are more likely to earn less. On the lower end of the economic scale, the majority of hourly and part-time jobs are filled by women, many of whom have children. Childcare is the biggest challenge for working mothers, who still bear the bulk of the responsibility. Studies have shown that women who are provided flexible schedules are more likely to remain in their jobs. For others, the high cost of quality early childhood care often leads to the decision to either work part time or not at all.
These issues follow women well into retirement age. The pay gap coupled with career interruptions leaves less money for savings or investment into a retirement plan. Fewer years in the workforce also means less money in Social Security earnings. The average woman retiring at 65 years of age can expect to live another 20 years. If she is lucky to have a retirement account or savings, on average she will have nearly 40 percent less saved than a man of the same age. Almost 20 percent of women leave the workforce long before age 65 – making their financial prospects even more tenuous, leaving many in poverty. The reasons for early retirement include health (for them or a spouse), downsizing, and in a surprising twist, childcare.
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