Karina Gould’s parental leave is similar to that of many Canadians. Yet there are key differences, and they offer lessons on how parental leave could be redesigned to help more Canadian parents.
With dads being the primary earners in many heterosexual households, it was often the mother who gave up work to manage extra work at home during the pandemic. But what about heterosexual households where the mother was the primary earner?
Childcare subsidies give mothers the choice to work and help reduce the earnings gap between mothers and fathers. In time, it may lead to greater acceptance of working mothers for future generations.
East Germany strongly encouraged mothers to participate in the labour market full-time, whereas West Germany propagated a more tradition male breadwinner model.
COVID-19 has spotlighted structural injustice inherent in child care in Canada. Organizational leaders have a responsibility to work together, with child care stakeholders, to redress this injustice.
Taryn Morrissey, American University School of Public Affairs
For US parents, the health, economic and social crisis the COVID-19 pandemic brought about is compounded by the difficult if not impossible task of working, caring for and educating kids.
The Covid-19 pandemic has hit women hard, in particular amplifying gender gaps. Yet women have also proved that their contributions – on the front lines and leadership positions – are invaluable.
Most mothers want some continuity with their pre-maternal identity, to feel a sense of meaningful contribution to their society, and to enjoy their relationships with their children.
The media interest in the New Zealand leader, who gave birth this summer, is an illustration of the difficulties faced by women who choose to pursue a career without sacrificing their lives as mothers.
When it comes to children’s well-being and development, it’s not whether a woman works or not that matters but how she makes her choices work for her family.