Introduction
The pandemic magnified pre-existing obstacles to women's full and equitable participation in the workforce, including the unequal distribution of household labor, a persistent gender wage gap, hard-to-afford child care and the lack of paid leave. Lockdowns and social distancing gutted the sectors women are most likely to work in, such as retail and hospitality. At the same time, child care availability decreased, driving up its already expensive cost. The result: a “shecession” in which 5.4 million women exited the workforce, many to take care of their children. Amid the pandemic, however, many employers pivoted to more flexible and family-friendly working arrangements. President Biden introduced legislation intended to improve women's labor force participation, in part by providing more affordable child care. Experts say it will not be easy implementing these policies or making them permanent. But without long-term solutions to make child care affordable, paid parental leave and organizational cultures that support women, gender inequalities in the workforce will persist — and future shecessions may be unavoidable.
Brittany Cheng plays with her daughter, Rylan, as her husband watches on May 5 in Anaheim, Calif. Although pandemic-related restrictions have begun to ease, Cheng has chosen not to return to her job, instead starting a home-based business. (Getty Images/Los Angeles Times/Dania Maxwell)
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Jul. 02, 2021 |
Women in the Workplace |
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Nov. 08, 2019 |
The Gender Pay Gap |
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Oct. 27, 2017 |
Workplace Sexual Harassment |
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Jul. 26, 2013 |
Women and Work |
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Apr. 14, 2006 |
Future of Feminism |
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Apr. 04, 2003 |
Mothers' Movement |
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Sep. 25, 1992 |
Women in the Military |
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May 10, 1985 |
Women's Economic Equity |
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Jul. 10, 1981 |
Women in the Military |
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Mar. 20, 1981 |
Equal Pay Fight |
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Jul. 04, 1980 |
Women in the Executive Suite |
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Jul. 13, 1979 |
Two-Income Families |
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Feb. 18, 1977 |
Women in the Work Force |
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Feb. 13, 1957 |
Woman's Place in the Economy |
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Apr. 22, 1944 |
Women Workers After the War |
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Jan. 26, 1942 |
Women in War Work |
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Jul. 13, 1926 |
Sex Equality and Protective Laws |
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