Are you a woman who cares about both your career and having children - or do you love someone who does? We often think that mothers can return to the workforce when their children get older or when they have supportive spouses.
But the data shows us that’s not the case.
Mothers can’t return to the workforce just because children get older
A common narrative we see is that women can return to the workplace when children are old enough to go to daycare or school. However, the labor force participation of mothers still remains 15%-20% less than fathers, even when children are older than 6.
U.S. labor force participation by gender and age of children, 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, Current Population Survey
Notes: Labor force participation rate represents the percentage of parents in the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and older that are employed or actively looking for work. Children are own children and include biological children, step-children, or adopted children. Estimates refer to co-residential children only.
Mothers can’t return to the workforce just because they have a present spouse - though fathers do
A lot of women look for supportive co-partners - and a lot of men aspire to be supportive co-parents. However, mothers who are married with a present spouse can’t return to the workforce any more than mothers without a partner. Fathers, on the other hand, work more with a present spouse than when they don’t have a spouse.
U.S. labor force participation by gender and marital status, 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, Current Population Survey
Notes: Labor force participation rate represents the percentage of parents in the civilian noninstitutional population 16 years of age and older that are employed or actively looking for work. Children are own children and include biological children, step-children, or adopted children. Estimates refer to co-residential children only.
Fathers earn more money when their children grow up - but mothers don’t
A lot of parents work part-time or take leave when their children are young, thinking they will increase their hours and recover their pay when their children grow up. This is true for fathers - but not for mothers. Fathers earn $125 more per week when their children turn 6 - but mothers only earn $25 more.
Median weekly earnings in dollars by gender and age of children, 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics, Current Population Survey
Notes: Median weekly earnings are collected for employed full-time, wage, and salary workers. Children are own children and include biological children, step-children, or adopted children. Estimates refer to co-residential children only.