Dads Are Just Babysitters: Debunking the Myths of Child Care
03/27/24 • 42 min
Why is child care so expensive and impossible to find? And why are child care providers paid so little? And how come when TV shows depict child care, if they do at all, it’s completely unrealistic—full of super nannies and hapless dads? Child care is the backbone of our entire country and is traditionally women’s work—which is why it’s frustrating, but maybe not surprising, that it’s so often invisible. In this episode, we talk to NWLC experts Jasmine Tucker and Julie Vogtman about who to blame for our child care crisis, how to help child care workers and parents alike, and the child care myths that are hurting all of us, whether you have kids or not.
We have so many resources for you!
Julie’s Undervalued report:
https://nwlc.org/resource/undervalued-a-brief-history-of-womens-care-work-and-child-care-policy-in-the-united-states/
Jasmine and Julie’s report on what happened to women after COVID-19:
https://nwlc.org/resource/resilient-but-not-recovered-after-two-years-of-the-covid-19-crisis-women-are-still-struggling/
Child care provider Merline A. Gallegos explains what would help her:
https://nwlc.org/on-child-care-worker-appreciation-day-what-we-really-need-is-action/
An interactive map that shows how each state would benefit if Congress stabilized the child care system with $16 billion:
https://nwlc.org/resource/cc-map/
Data that shows child care workers are being left behind in terms of their pay: https://nwlc.org/press-release/nwlc-releases-data-revealing-child-care-workers-wage-growth-lags-behind-other-low-paid-occupations/
Why is child care so expensive and impossible to find? And why are child care providers paid so little? And how come when TV shows depict child care, if they do at all, it’s completely unrealistic—full of super nannies and hapless dads? Child care is the backbone of our entire country and is traditionally women’s work—which is why it’s frustrating, but maybe not surprising, that it’s so often invisible. In this episode, we talk to NWLC experts Jasmine Tucker and Julie Vogtman about who to blame for our child care crisis, how to help child care workers and parents alike, and the child care myths that are hurting all of us, whether you have kids or not.
We have so many resources for you!
Julie’s Undervalued report:
https://nwlc.org/resource/undervalued-a-brief-history-of-womens-care-work-and-child-care-policy-in-the-united-states/
Jasmine and Julie’s report on what happened to women after COVID-19:
https://nwlc.org/resource/resilient-but-not-recovered-after-two-years-of-the-covid-19-crisis-women-are-still-struggling/
Child care provider Merline A. Gallegos explains what would help her:
https://nwlc.org/on-child-care-worker-appreciation-day-what-we-really-need-is-action/
An interactive map that shows how each state would benefit if Congress stabilized the child care system with $16 billion:
https://nwlc.org/resource/cc-map/
Data that shows child care workers are being left behind in terms of their pay: https://nwlc.org/press-release/nwlc-releases-data-revealing-child-care-workers-wage-growth-lags-behind-other-low-paid-occupations/
Previous Episode
Bottom of the Pyramid: The Misogyny Behind How Society Treats Cheerleaders
Cheerleaders are a big part of our culture, from halftime performances at school football games to the longevity of Bring It On. They’re incredible performers and such an integral part of the gameday experience, and yet society often treats them like mere objects. We’ve seen so much progress in the ways jobs traditionally held by women are respected, but why are we still discounting cheerleaders, even the ones who work in the NFL? We talk with Melanie, a former NFL cheerleader, and Lizzy, a sexual harassment lawyer who helped take down Dan Snyder, the former owner of the Washington football team.
For more information on the case involving the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund and Dan Snyder: https://nwlc.org/how-survivors-prevailed-against-dan-snyder-and-the-washington-commanders/
The Oversight Committee Report Melanie mentioned can be found here: https://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/oversight-committee-releases-final-report-on-investigation-into-the-nfl-s
If you have experienced sex harassment or other sex discrimination at work, the TIME’S UP Legal Defense Fund may be able to help. For more information visit: https://nwlc.org/times-up-legal-defense-fund/legal-help-for-sex-discrimination-and-harassment/
Next Episode
The Radical Power of the Happily Ever After: Why You Should Read Romance Novels
Romance as a genre has been historically dismissed as unserious, very likely because women make up its core audience. But it’s always been popular and lucrative. Romance has also been at the forefront of inclusive fiction and driving social change. With our guests, Tia Williams, an acclaimed author, and Kelsey Grimes, a reproductive rights lawyer at NWLC, we unpack the genre and how it’s inextricably linked to conversations about contraception, abortion, and freedom.
We’ve got romance recommendations for you!
Tia’s rec: This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
Kelsey’s rec: Any book by Courtney Milan
Hilary’s rec: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and for historical, A League of Extraordinary Women series by Evie Dunmore
Jessica’s rec: Act Your Age, Even Brown by Talia Hibbert
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