The Nation: With State Budgets Withering, Get Ready for the 'Womancession'

[marmar]

With State Budgets Withering, Get Ready for the 'Womancession'

Bryce Covert
March 2, 2011


Attacks on public employees, in Wisconsin and other budget-crunched states, may not sound like they’re specifically targeting female workers—but they’ll end up doing just that. Governor Scott Walker wants to strip collective bargaining from unions that disproportionately represent women—the only public employees he’s exempting are police officers, firefighters and state troopers, the majority of whom are men. In fact, jobs disproportionately held by women are those most at risk in any state considering budget cuts.

This isn't what we're used to hearing: during the “mancession,” female workers, concentrated in non-construction jobs, were less affected by the downturn than their male counterparts. But you might say we’re now entering a “hecovery.”

While construction and manufacturing were the first sectors to tank when the housing bubble burst, dragging male employment down with them, they’re now making some (albeit minimal) gains. Meanwhile, lost tax revenue and increased spending to cover unemployment benefits, coupled with a coming shut-off in federal aid, has led to state budget crises across the country. Traditionally female-heavy industries—once thought to be recession-proof—are now being hit hard by the “tough choices” made by governors facing depleted state coffers.

In other words, it’s time to start talking about the womancession. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/article/158972/state-budgets-withering-get-ready-womancession

[WatsonT]

1. Wow, I didn't think there was any word sillier

than 'mancession'

I stand corrected.

[Lars39]

2. During the Depression there were quite a few school disctricts that only hired men

Since everyone assumed men were the only ones needing to earn money to support a family.