From the bustling corner office to the quiet hum of a laptop at the kitchen table, women are, and have always been, at the heart of our nation's prosperity and resilience. Both women in the workforce and those in the often-invisible realm of unpaid labor from the very backbone of the US economy and the bedrock of our communities. Yet this immense contribution often goes undervalued, leaving the very individuals who uplift us all vulnerable to economic instability.
Here's how we can change that as a society - and what you can do today.
The Dual Fronts of Women's Labor: Paid and Unpaid Work
Women's work is a powerful engine of economic growth. In fact, in nearly half of all households with children, a mother is the primary or sole breadwinner, a figure that rises to a staggering 69% for Black mothers. This reality challenges the outdated notion of women's income as merely supplemental. It is, for millions of families, the lifeline that keeps food on the table, the rent paid, and the lights on.
In the Workforce
The impact of women extends far beyond their own households. They are disproportionately represented in critical yet often underepaid sectors that our society cannot function without. Women are the teachers shaping the next generation, the nurses and home health aides caring for our sick and elderly, and the child care providers enabling other parents to participate in the workforce. These roles, which are essential to the health and well-being of our communities, are overwhelmingly filled by women.
That's because women tend to be pushed into caregiving sectors in which they overwhelmingly represent lower-tier workers rather than C-suite executives and industry leaders. Jobs in these sectors tend to pay far less than those in industries dominated by men, such as finance and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.
In Homes and Communities
Beyond their paid labor, women as caregivers perform a staggering amount of unpaid work that's crucial to the functioning of our society. This includes everything from childcare and elder care to managing household finances and maintaining a home. Women's unpaid labor statistics demonstrate that women do at least 2.5 times more household and care work than men.
This "second shift" is not just a matter of household chores; it's the essential, uncompensated work that raises families, supports communities, and allows the formal economy to thrive.
Gender and Motherhood Penalties: The Oppression of Women in the Workforce
Despite their indispensable role as economic drivers and community builders, women and minorities in the workforce - particularly Black women and mothers - face significant systemic barriers that leave them all the more susceptible to financial hardship.
For example, the pay disparity by gender, commonly known as the gender pay gap, remains a persistent reality. On average, women earn significantly less than their male counterparts for the same work, a gap that's even wider for women of color. This disparity in earnings accumulates over a lifetime, resulting in a substantial wealth gap that limits a woman's ability to save for retirement, invest in a home, or weather a financial crisis.
This economic vulnerability is compounded by what is often termed the "motherhood penalty." Women frequently experience a decrease in earnings after having children, a penalty not typically seen for fathers. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including time taken out of the workforce for caregiving, a reduction in hours, or a move to a lower-paying but more flexible job. The high cost and limited availability of quality child care further exacerbate this issue, forcing many mothers to make difficult choices between their careers and their families.
For single mothers, these challenges are even more acute. Without the safety net of a second income, they are at a much higher risk of living in poverty. These are not isolated issues affecting a small minority; they are widespread, systemic problems that impact the financial security of millions of women and their families, creating a ripple effect that's felt throughout our entire economy.
How We Can Build a More Equitable Future (That Benefits Everyone)
Supporting women is not just a matter of fairness; it's a vital economic and social imperative. When women thrive, families are more stable, communities prosper, and our entire economy is stronger. So, how can we better respect and support the women who do so much? The solutions are multifaceted and require a concerted effort from all sectors of society. This includes:
- Promoting pay equity and closing the wealth gap. Voters can advocate for policies that ensure equal pay for women and create opportunities for women to build wealth; employers can implement these policies now, without waiting for related legislation.
- Investing in affordable, high-quality child care. Governments and voters can recognize that child care is not a family issue but an economic one and work to make it accessible to all.
- Implementing paid family and medical leave. Employer and legislative work policies can ensure that no one has to choose between their job and caring for a new child or a sick family member.
- Supporting nonprofits that help women and families.
One of the most powerful ways to create change is by supporting organizations that are dedicated to empowering women and creating pathways to financial stability. For example, the United Way of York County (UWYC) connects individuals and families to the supportive services they need to break the cycle of poverty, such as child care and transportation. It's not a handout, but a hand up.
Through its Women United network, UWYC also brings together a network of dedicated women who, through philanthropy and volunteerism, are making a tangible difference in the lives of other women and families in their community. By investing in programs that address the root causes of financial instability, such as early childhood education, Women United is helping to build a stronger, more prosperous York County for all. Your willingness to join them can make all the difference.
Empower Hardworking Women with United Way of York County
UWYC in Pennsylvania assists hardworking households on their journey toward financial stability. To meet the needs of the Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) population, we are embarking on an issue-focused strategy to create a transformational impact for workers. UWYC generally focuses on removing two key barriers to success for ALICE households: child care and transportation. We also offer many other resources through PA 211, a free, confidential health and human services information and referral hotline.
With that mission in mind, we've also created the Women United program. Join a powerful network of women supporting women through leadership, philanthropy, and connection. Your membership helps working households stay employed and build stability by funding early childhood education scholarships and addressing the root causes of financial insecurity. To become a member, simply complete our form and make an annual gift of $500 or more - or join through our Step-Up Program and grow your gift to $500 over three years.
With one donation, you can help your ALICE neighbors and friends. Gifts to the UWYC Impact Fund are dollars that stay in York County and impact lives where you live and work. Please consider giving today!