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LA’s Working Moms Are Cutting Hours To Care For Their Kids
The coronavirus pandemic is disproportionately impacting working moms. More so than men or women without children, they’re cutting their hours and spending more time taking care of their kids.
“This COVID-19 crisis has the capacity to really represent a step back in terms of gender equality because we see moms are carrying more of the load than dads,” says University of Arkansas economist Gema Zamarro.
Her statement is based on research showing that 42% of moms reduced their working hours during the pandemic --compared to 30% of dads -- as well as firsthand experience as the mom of two elementary school aged kids.
We wanted to know how Southern California moms are living this reality, here’s some of what we’ve heard.
- “My insomnia basically was just at a new level of not being able to sleep at night because I was so uncertain and being a single mom and already on a low income, it's already been hard to make things work.” -- Loretta Madrigal, West Covina
- “I am worried when time comes to go to this childcare, that whatever we find, that it’s not going to be my first, second, third, fourth, or even maybe my fifth choice.” -- Maggie Kelley, Studio City
- “That was a hard decision to admit, 'OK, I'm a stay at home mom now,' because that's not what I wanted to be. I wanted to be a working mom, but that's what my family needs right now.” -- Delilah Ballesteros, Glendale
- “It seems like it honestly just gets harder and harder every day because whenever I'm at work and I'm exposed to hundreds of customers a day ... I have to take my precautions, because I have a young child. I have older family and it's not worth it.” -- Ashley Wayne, Lancaster
- “I have friends that say like, ‘I can't believe your kid’s in day care.’ I'm like, ‘Look, this is what works for my family. This is what works for me and this is how I can make money.’ My child loves it. I can see the difference of like, just emotionally how happy is going there.” – Jaylee Maruk, Studio City
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HOW ARE YOU TAKING CARE OF YOUR FAMILY?
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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