As I have written repeatedly, we are in the midst of a care crisis in our country. Labor Department data show that the share of women participating in the workforce has yet to rise to pre-pandemic levels, with mothers working less than other women. Most cite the lack of affordable child care or elder care as a reason for cutting back hours or dropping out of the workforce altogether.
The situation is even more acute for the professional caregiving workforce. Women account for an astounding 81% of all workers in the residential long-term care industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of nursing home workers remains 11.5 percent below its level in February 2020.
Women’s issues must not be allowed to be pushed to the sidelines. With reproductive rights threatened across the country, women may be forced to have children without any help with childcare or other necessities.
Seventy percent of people turning 65 today will need long-term care before they die, yet our nation has no real plan in place to provide this care.
Women comprise more than half the population and have cast almost 10 million more votes than men in recent election. We must demand that caregiving needs are front and center for all elected officials.
Source: Nora Super