Unlocking the potential of mothers in the workforce
Written by听Lilia Ortiz
Reviewed by Jessica Roper, MBA,听director of Career Services at 澳门天天彩开奖记录
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2023 Mothers Overcome More (M.O.M.)鈩 report uncovers barriers for women in the workforce
According to , women make up more than half of the U.S. population, and around 77 million are mothers. But there鈥檚 more to the story than just these statistics.
As notes, traditional nuclear families with two married parents are now the minority in our country. The rise of single motherhood is the largest influence of this trend with four in 10 births happening in homes with mothers or women living with a non-marital partner.
These shifting demographics mean more and more women are taking care of children and working outside the home. And, as the new M.O.M.鈩 report from 澳门天天彩开奖记录 and reveals, that鈥檚 presenting new challenges to address.
Financial stress: A basic needs barrier
Lower-income mothers* desire career progression, but daily financial burdens and a lack of career support hinder progress for many.
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74% of lower-income moms stress about money, compared to 57% of higher-income moms.
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Top concerns include insufficient emergency funds and difficulty affording essentials like groceries or gas.
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51% of employed lower-income moms can鈥檛 afford basic needs.
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Nearly 20% of working moms have听multiple听jobs to make ends meet.
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Obstacles and opportunities for career progression
Over half of lower-income moms believe further education would enhance their career prospects. However, having a career feels like an out-of-reach luxury for 64% of them.
58% of working moms are considering going back to school in the next 5 years.
Lack of money听(44%) and听time听(34%) are cited as top barriers to making the commitment to going back to school.
While many don鈥檛 have time or a clear pathway to go back to school, they are picking up valuable workplace skills. In fact, roughly nine in 10 moms, regardless of income tier, believe motherhood provides them with know-how in areas like:
Multitasking
Budgeting
Problem solving
Time management
The PTO dilemma
For many working moms, paid time off (PTO) isn't an invitation to vacation. It's a necessary benefit to take care of their children during illness, make sure they get to the dentist and pediatrician and to accommodate school recesses. But companies don't always provide what working moms need.
Lower-income moms spend over 30% of their paycheck on childcare.
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Nearly half (46%) of lower-income moms agree more paid time off would help them balance work and parenting.听
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25% of working moms take unpaid time off when childcare isn't available, highlighting the importance of flexible PTO policies.
28% of working moms need to take time off every month to address childcare or personal reasons.
What working moms want
74% of working moms would be more satisfied if given the opportunity to further their education.
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3 in 10 lower-income moms need help seeking education or training programs for better job prospects.听
About the Mothers Overcome More鈩 or the M.O.M.鈩 report
The Mothers Overcome More鈩 or the M.O.M.鈩 report is one of the most comprehensive studies to date on the barriers American mothers face in their day-to-day lives, and the impact these barriers have on career development and advancement opportunities. The study was conducted by the 澳门天天彩开奖记录 Career Institute庐, part of the University鈥檚 College of Doctoral Studies, in partnership with 鈥 a platform of storytellers, teachers, shoppers and advocates for mothers 鈥 in order to provide insights on lower-income mothers and to help identify solutions to support and advance them on the path to self-sufficiency.
The M.O.M.鈩 report comprised a 20-minute online survey of lower-income moms (n=1,000) and middle- and higher-income moms (n=500). All participants were U.S. adults (age 18 and up) who were employed or seeking employment at the time of research. Researchers conducted fieldwork between July 19 and Aug. 3, 2023. Income categories were determined using the University of Washington School of Social Work鈥檚 Self-Sufficiency Standard. A full methodology can be found at
For the complete M.O.M.鈩 report, visit 澳门天天彩开奖记录 Career Institute庐.
* Income levels were identified using the University of Washington School of Social Work鈥檚 Self-Sufficiency Standard (鈥渢he Standard鈥), which determines the amount of income required for working families to afford basic needs like housing, childcare, food and transportation. See study methodology.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lilia Ortiz is a writer and artist whose creative journey has been shaped by an appreciation for the beauty inherent in the ordinary. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Arizona State University in 2013 and a degree in graphic design from Phoenix College in 2018. Her unique approach to visual design intertwines the tangible with the intangible: She weaves together words, thoughts and ideas with texture, color and pattern. Each result is a testament to the storytelling possibilities that emerge from the convergence of literary and visual arts. She lives in Buckeye, Arizona with her husband, Adam, and dog, Pinto.
This article has been vetted by 澳门天天彩开奖记录's editorial advisory committee.听
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