One of the harsh realities of COVID-19 is how it has impacted our moms. We are at the one-year mark of the devastating effects of COVID-19 entering America to the point that we had to change to virtual schools. The consequences were pervasive for our students but for many moms, the issues related to schools shutting down along with the high rate of unemployment has created some dire consequences which has been both stressful and life changing.
A recent article in the New York Times written by Jessica Grose examines the effects of the pandemic on the working mothers in America. Here are some excerpts from the New York Times article, including several posts she also referenced below.
By now, you have read the headlines, repeating like a depressing drum beat:
“Working moms are not okay.” “Pandemic Triples Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In New Mothers.” “Working Moms Are Reaching The Breaking Point.”
You can also see the problem in numbers: Almost 1 million mothers have left the workforce — with Black mothers, Hispanic mothers and single mothers among the hardest hit. Almost one in four children experienced food insecurity in 2020, which is intimately related to the loss of maternal income. And more than three quarters of parents with children ages 8 to 12 say the uncertainty around the current school year is causing them stress.
Despite these alarm bells clanging, signaling a financial and emotional disaster among America’s mothers, who are doing most of the increased amount of child care and domestic work during this pandemic, the cultural and policy response enacted at this point has been nearly nonexistent.
The pandemic has touched every group of Americans, and millions are suffering, hungry and grieving. But many mothers in particular get no space or time to recover.
I have spoken with many moms who are valiantly working through the responsibilities of being educator, caregiver, family stabilizer while working a job from home. The impact of all of this extra stress can be overwhelming. It is important that we acknowledge their valuable efforts and affirm all that they have done to keep our families, homes and kids intact while we are facing a global pandemic. It is an example of the best of our country rising to meet the needs of those in their care. Thank you, moms, for all you do for us all!
Gerry Vassar
President/CEO
