Last week, my therapist posed a crucial question. “How are you managing with the Delta variant?” she asked. “Are you feeling anxious or concerned?”
“Absolutely,” I replied. I worry about my own health and that of my children. The thought of more shutdowns and the persistence of COVID-19 weighs heavily on me. I’m exhausted. Parenting during a pandemic is draining, and the lack of local guidelines and mask mandates adds to my frustration. All I want is to keep my family safe and healthy. But there was more to her question, an underlying truth that lingered in the silence that followed.
“I love my work,” I confessed. “I don’t want to lose my job.”
At first glance, the connection between the Delta variant and my professional life might not seem clear. However, millions of women are grappling with similar fears because as COVID cases rise, daycares, schools, and camps are closing, and it is typically women who bear the brunt of these disruptions. They are the ones who take time off or adjust their schedules. Economists worry that the U.S. is on the brink of a significant wave of women leaving the workforce again.
“For the economy as a whole, it may not be a big issue, but for women, it is significant. We risk seeing more women as casualties of the great resignation,” noted Laura Simmons, an economist and associate professor at a local university.
Some believe these concerns are exaggerated, that women are overreacting to the pressures they face due to COVID-19. However, every household has a default caregiver, and historically, that role has fallen to mothers. The facts are clear: over the past 17 months, women have been disproportionately affected. Over 13 million women exited the workforce at the pandemic’s onset, resulting in the lowest participation rates since the 1980s.
“Everyone is anxious about what the fall holds,” said Rachel Johnson, a principal economist at the Census Bureau, especially considering that women have yet to recover from the last wave. There are still about 1.5 million fewer working mothers than before the pandemic.
While fathers have also been impacted, women, who often earn less than their male counterparts, have shouldered the majority of caregiving responsibilities. They are the ones managing homeschooling, caring for the family, and maintaining household duties. Furthermore, researchers have determined that two factors significantly influence a woman’s ability to keep her job: flexibility in their schedules and the option to work from home, along with having family nearby for support.
Women are also facing challenges in other areas. A recent study from the University of Chicago Medicine highlighted increased health-related issues among U.S. women due to pandemic stressors, including rising rates of mental health concerns like anxiety and depression.
“Women are primarily responsible for parenting and family caregiving,” stated Dr. Lisa Chen, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Chicago Medicine and co-author of the study. “They play a crucial role in managing and recovering from this pandemic and are now experiencing significant socioeconomic risks that contribute to anxiety, depression, and traumatic stress.” In short, we ought to be concerned about mothers’ mental well-being.
The future remains uncertain. Moms need support, but the type of assistance varies based on individual circumstances. Employers must provide greater flexibility, including variable hours and remote work options. Having a solid support system is crucial. Mothers need time off and a break, both physically and mentally, and fathers must step up. Moms cannot be solely responsible for caregiving or leaving the workforce.
Will these necessary changes occur swiftly? Perhaps, but likely not, given the enduring patriarchal norms that persist in society. Women have participated in the workforce for decades, yet the elusive work/life balance continues to evade many.
If mothers are to navigate this pandemic while preserving their jobs and mental health, something must change.
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Summary:
Mothers are once again confronting significant challenges due to the ongoing pandemic, with fears of job loss and caregiving responsibilities weighing heavily on them. As schools and daycares close, women are disproportionately affected, risking their participation in the workforce. The need for flexible work arrangements, support systems, and shared responsibilities at home has never been more critical.