Brush Stroke
February 20, 2014
   
Greetings! 

  

Finally, a reprieve from the snow and now we have winter recess. Let it rain! 

Check Out What's In This Issue
DC Dispatch: Alternatives to Paid Sick Days!
The Pay Gap Explained
Caregiving Is Not A Phase
Suddenly Mothers Are Mentioned
Your Gift Makes a Difference for Families
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The National Association of Mothers' Centers 
 (NAMC) 
provides programs that empower mothers, fathers and caregivers to find solutions that work for their families, their work lives and their personal lives.

DC DispatchDispatch

 

Nothing like snow days and flu season to drive home the point that workplaces need to be more flexible, workers need guaranteed sick leave, and people can't go to work unless their children are looked after.  There's no better time to press this point home - DC is still blanketed with the white stuff and everyone's coming down with something, getting over something, or down for the count.  What a great time to just drop off the kids at the office of your friendly member of Congress, and let them deal with the fallout from our totally outdated policies.

 

The Pay Gap Explained
   
You've probably heard many explanations for the pay gap.  Women naturally work less because they spend more time caring for family.  Women prefer lower-paying careers.  If women had the same education and training as men, then there would be no pay gap.  Well, guess what - every one of those statements is wrong.  Different choices, different circumstances, and preferences don't actually account for the pay gap.  This article from the Huffington Post will set you straight,
5 Myths About the Gender Pay Gap Debunked. 

 

Caregiving Is Not A Phase

 

If you think once your kids get older, your caring responsibilities will fade away, please think again.  The same issues that dog you now will likely still be a part of your life decades in the future.  Our kids may grow up and move out, but we will find ourselves still caring for others, dealing with work/family conflict and a system which does not value that role.  In Caregiving in America, the Center for American Progress points out that "...there are currently 41.6 million family caregivers across the United States, almost half of whom provide complex chronic care and perform medical tasks. The estimated economic contribution of unpaid family caregivers, approximately two-thirds of whom are women, was $450 billion in 2009, up $100 billion from 2006 and a number that is likely to grow as our population ages and lives longer."  Paid family leave insurance, currently being debated in Congress and some state legislatures, is needed by every person, no matter the age, gender, or employment status.  Have you asked your member of Congress to support the FAMILY Act?

Suddenly Mothers Are Mentioned 

 

There has been a sudden uptick in the frequency of articles about mothers, family care, and the economic edge so many women are perched on.  This one, For Working Moms, One Sick Kid Can Spell Disaster,  appeared in The Daily Beast, and points out the absolute necessity of paid sick days paid leave, and reliable child care.  Advocate Ellen Bravo says:  "Let's say you lose your job. Well then you look like an irresponsible worker. Then you start to have a resume and people ask, 'Why do you have these short job tenures, or why did you change jobs so many times, why were you out of work?' Seldom will you have the hiring person ask, 'Gee, did you work for a company that didn't have any flexibility? Was your kid sick? Were you being a good mom, is that what happened to you?'"

 

We Don't Reward Carework, And It Costs Us

 

The "caring industry" is where most women are employed. It includes secretaries and administrative assistants, elementary and middle-school teachers, registered nurses, and nursing, psychiatric and home health aides.  These jobs pay poorly, and account for a large slice of the pay gap.  By refusing to reward these occupations appropriately, we cannot hope to keep talented, experienced, and trained workers in them.  Thus we reinforce and perpetuate a sub-par standard for those who care for and educate our children, our parents and ourselves, according to this great article in Business Insider, Why We Pay Teachers, Secretaries and Home Health Aides So LIttle.

Mothers with baby

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Your Gift Makes a Difference for Families

 

Mothers' Centers have helped thousands of families:

  • Make friends
  • Learn from each other
  • Find needed support  
  • Advocate for our children's needs
  • Discover valuable resources
  • Find creative ways to manage work and family responsibilities
  • And so much more!

Please consider making a tax-deductable donation  to the National Association of Mothers' Centers today.

 

Thank you for making a difference!

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Valerie Young  

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