Absolutely! Caregiving is totally devalued in this country, even though it's the backbone of our economy.

We need crucial policies like affordable child care and paid leave. It shouldn’t have to be this hard. Let’s fix the motherhood penalty, and build an economy that doesn’t profit off mothers’ unpaid labor. #The75Million | The75Million.org

This isn’t about “bad choices.” It’s about mothers having no choices. Our country's outdated systems and policies punish mothers for doing the work that holds families, workplaces, and communities together.

When mothers stay in the workforce, many employers assume they’re “less committed” because they need flexibility to pick up a sick child, pump breast milk, or get to a school event. Managers deny them raises and promotions they’ve earned — a penalty fathers rarely face.

Then there’s child care. In most states, child care costs more than a mortgage. Many mothers cut back hours, turn down promotions, or leave jobs because care is too expensive or impossible to find.

Many can’t afford to take all that time unpaid. So they rush back to work too soon, risking their health and their baby’s wellbeing, or they leave the workforce altogether. Either way, they lose income.

Example: A woman gives birth and needs time to heal and bond with her baby. In many countries, that’s covered. In the U.S., millions get no paid leave, just 12 weeks of unpaid job protection, *if* they qualify.