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In the pathbreaking tradition of Backlash and The Second Shift, this provocative book shows how mothers are systematically disadvantaged and made dependent by a society that exploits those who perform its most critical work. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and the most current research in economics, history, child development, and law, Ann Crittenden proves that although women have been liberated, mothers have not.
The costs of motherhood are everywhere apparent. College-educated women pay a "mommy tax" of over a million dollars in lost income when they have a child. Family law deprives mothers of financial equality in marriage. Stay-at-home mothers and their work are left out of the GDP, the labor force, and the social safety net. With passion and clarity, Crittenden demonstrates that proper rewards for mothers' essential contributions would only enhance the general welfare.
Bold, galvanizing, full of innovative solutions, The Price of Motherhood offers a much-needed accounting of the price that mothers pay for performing the most important job in the world.
"A bracing call to arms...Crittenden rows against the ideological current and has the temerity to suggest a mind-blowingly sensible alteration of America's present parenting arrangements."-Ben Dickinson, Elle
"Fascinating...shows how women have been consistently denied social and, more importantly, monetary equality for raising their families."-Susan Straight, Los Angeles Times
"A scathing indictment of policies that cheat mothers...Crittenden turns out a fresh, persuasive argument. Sure to inspire vigorous debate."-Megan Rutherford, Time
"Powerful and important"—The New York Times
A newspaper reporter told me that his wife used to be his boss before she quit to raise their two children. She now makes one-fourth of his salary, working as a part-time consultant. "It was her choice," he says.
But mothers' choices are not made in a vacuum. They are made according to rules mothers didn't write. Married working mothers pay the highest taxes in the country on their earned income, which powerfully affects their choice of whether to work or not. And what many mothers really want is a good part-time job, yet there is no rich and vibrant part-time labor market in the United States.
To most women choice is all about bad options and difficult decisions: your child or your profession; taking on the domestic chores or marital strife; a good night's sleep or time with your child; food on the table or your baby's safety; your right arm or your left.
sinclaire
Posted October 4, 2009
This book was purchased for a college research paper, and although I did not use all of it, I did quote some of the topics. The book is very interesting and every mother should read this book. It repeats the premise in modern times of the worth of the mother, and her what happens to her career. Great topic.
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Posted April 5, 2003
This book tells it like it is. When women become mothers, there are great rewards, but also great costs. Our society puts most of those costs on mothers, to the detriment of the children, women, and society itself. This book is important reading for all parents, women, and policy makers in government and business.
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Posted October 16, 2002
This book is about creating a socialist society which takes away individual responsibility. Single parent families are NOT good for kids even if there is enough money. A better route is to enliven and educate people about healthy relationships, esp. male and female ones to create working marraiges...AND to get info. out about what makes a HEALTHY family. Also helpful would be disseminating info. about saving for the future before having kids, etc. The government's role in all this is to LOWER all taxes so FAMILIES can use their earnings for themselves and chosen charities. If the gov. would stop taking away so much of our paychecks, more moms could stay at home!
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Posted September 14, 2002
My experience first as a daughter watching her mother struggle, then as mother of three of her own sons bears witness to the correct application of every economic idea and principle the author discusses. Amy Crittenden does not suggest that women NOT bear and raise children, but that women consider those costs--as the vast majority of those costs will be set squarely on women's shoulders by men and society. Crittenden provides an accounting of the costs of motherhood with which her readers may easily determine their own opinions. She also gives examples of how other nations have taken steps to reconsider the value and the price of motherhood. Crittenden's assertions do not entertain gender or economic bias, which make this clear, concise book a most sane read. Every student, but especially women students need to encounter this book in curriculum somewhere between junior high and college--but preferably receive it from the hands of her own mother or father first. This book would be excellent reading for every sociology, business, and economics major...
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Overview
In the pathbreaking tradition of Backlash and The Second Shift, this provocative book shows how mothers are systematically disadvantaged and made dependent by a society that exploits those who perform its most critical work. Drawing on hundreds of interviews and the most current research in economics, history, child development, and law, Ann Crittenden proves that although women have been liberated, mothers have not.
The costs of motherhood are everywhere apparent. ...