The Pandemic’s Effects on Women Begs the Question, ‘What’s Next for Working Mothers?’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAs the pandemic seemingly winds down, and the world begins to reopen, many may believe we’re on the road to recovery. However, what we’re unfortunately witnessing is another national crisis. Because of the pandemic, the labor participation of women in the workforce has dropped to its lowest level since 1988, according to the National Women’s Law Center.
Within months of the onset of the pandemic, the world was turned upside down for everyone, but in very particular ways for working families. Many professionals transitioned to remote working. All the while, their children who were once in the classroom transitioned to remote learning as well. This caused turmoil as unrealistic expectations for parents and kids collided within the walls of their own homes. The option of childcare for many working mothers was taken away. As a result of this and society’s lagging support of working women, working mothers were among the first to experience job loss — forced or otherwise — myself included.
The COVID-19 crisis cost women around the world $800 billion in lost income in 2020, and more than 2.4 million women have left the labor force nationwide. At the current rate of recovery, it’s projected that it will take 28 months for women to regain the jobs lost. That’s not all, though. For additional complex social and cultural reasons, women (21%) are more likely to perform unpaid work such as housework and caregiving than men (1.5%). Since the onset of the pandemic, women spend an average of 15 more hours each week of unpaid work than before, equaling more than 40 hours per week on average.
Unfortunately, my job loss was not by choice or to be expected. As I prepared to welcome my first child into the world, I was left unemployed and unable to continue my education degree under the current university model. The combination of these factors left me feeling hopeless in the wake of the pandemic. While I wasn’t alone, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders and as if my role in the workforce wasn’t valued as it should be.
With all this to note and more, two things are undeniable:
- We need women in the workforce.
- Women need options and support as they recover from the impact of this pandemic.
Society still lags behind in supporting working parents, particularly mothers, to create equitable opportunities in the workforce and eliminate the many barriers that often work against us. However, I know one thing is certain: Women are resilient.
Navigating the pandemic while exploring ways to re-enter the workforce stronger is no easy feat. Drawing on my passion for working in the classroom and knowing a degree was necessary to upskill and retool for future workforce opportunities, I adjusted my degree path and enrolled at an online university, WGU Indiana, to continue my pursuit for an elementary education and special education degree. Through scholarships and flexible, online learning opportunities, I finally felt supported in my goal of becoming a working mother once again.
I know first-hand how important it is for women to be supported, especially during a time when myself and millions of others have been disproportionately affected by COVID. When a baby is born, a mother is born. It’s important to be able to grow professionally but still be a mother. They say it takes a village, and it does. We cannot and should not be alone to “do it all.” Instead, society, employers, and education institutions should look to women and working mothers as an opportunity to rebuild a stronger workforce.
For many, education is critical in this effort (but just one of many integral factors). Education can provide stability, routine, and structure for a family. An affordable, flexible education is what is helping propel me forward to be both a mom and teacher, and it’s time for more higher education institutions to empower women, including mothers, to take steps toward rebuilding their careers in this time of difficulty. Institutions like WGU Indiana — whose student base is more than 70% women — offer a lifeline to women as they transition to new opportunities after a year of loss.
Without access to degree programs built to support me as a mother in pursuit of a sustainable career, I would remain stuck in the eye of the storm against working mothers. To the mothers who are going to school, stay-at-home moms, or working moms: We can do this.
Camille Comet is an Indianapolis educator with a passion for supporting children’s growth in the classroom. She’s actively pursuing her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and special education from nonprofit, online university WGU Indiana.