Return to Work

Light Work by Dear Patriarchy

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Welcome to our first episode of series 3 where we discuss the return to work. We run through the new statistics coming through on the mass exodus of women from the workplace and the lack of infrastructure which is, particularly in the United States, one of the key reasons behind the loss of women from the work environment. Jenni dives into the closure of care settings, particularly nurseries and schools, which lead to women leaving (or being forced out of) the workforce as a result of the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 and having yet to return. We discuss how differently the media covered the “Shecession” (women leaving the workforce) and the Great Migration (women and men leaving the workforce) before detailing our struggle in breaking the cycle of patriarchal conditioning in the home. Lisa talks about how her new work environment has been impacted not only by COVID-19, but the revelations that have come about since her sabbatical.

- We used the statistics on women leaving employment in the United States set out in the November 5th 2021 Guardian article entitled "‘I don’t have a choice’: childcare cost preventing US women from returning to work"
- We used the statistics on the rise in childcare costs within the United States as set out in the June 5th 2020 Guardian article entitled "The pandemic exposes US childcare for what it is: ‘a crisis within a crisis’"
- Please check out our "Feminism 101" suggested reading list here if you're at a loose end for a great read from a Feminist author.
- Find out more about the amazing artists, Nubefy, behind the graphics we use here