There are several major blocks to successful integration of the concepts of feminism into our culture. One is the perceived division between Working Moms and Stay at Home Moms. The goal of feminism is equality; equal access to opportunities, which includes giving men the option to be stay at home parents as well as women, and without judgment or stigma.
This obstacle is a result country’s lack of support for families in general. Most other industrialized countries offer ample, paid family leave, for men and women. Many cultures make accommodations in the workplace, job sharing, flextime or work from home options for men and women. There are many men who wish they had more opportunity to raise their children. Conversely when men or women do abandon their children, the remaining parent should have the support systems available to be able to care for their children, have a job and get an education without having to live in abject poverty.
There are pending policy changes and legislation that would, if ratified, provide additional equality and support for women and families.
Although the equal Pay Act was passed by Congress in 1963, women continue to earn only 77 cents per dollar compared to men’s wages. Clearly The Equal Pay act requires updating. The Paycheck Fairness Act, which was passed by the House in January 2009, would deter wage discrimination by closing loopholes in the Equal Pay Act. The bill also allows women and men to seek justice for sex-based pay discrimination.
The Healthy Families Act includes a provision for up to 7 paid sick days a year, to be used to care for a sick child or family member in addition to properly caring for one’s self. Perhaps even more significantly the act will allow sick days to be used for doctor’s appointments and to seek treatment or assistance for domestic violence or sexual assault.
Even if these measures pass the United States has a long road ahead if we are to keep stride with most productive industrialized nations. Providing the benefits and flexible work options mentioned earlier would play a significant role in eliminating economic disparity, fostering gender equality and ensuring social justice.
Sadly, public policy in the workplace has been slow to respond to the changing role of women and families in our culture. Reinventing workplace standards and accommodations is inevitable if we are to embrace the concepts of equality and justice that are at the core of feminist principles.
© 2011 Jennifer L Hazard, M.S.
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