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Full Text (802 words)For Single Moms, Access
To Better-Paying Jobs Is Key
We don't often talk about single mothers on the blog, but the problems they face often go beyond work-life balance issues. According to the Center for Women and Work at Rutgers University, 84% of single mothers don't have a college degree, and only 22% earn more than $30,000 a year.
Mary Gatta, director of work-force policy and research at the center, and author of the book "Not Just Getting By," has studied the barriers that single working mothers face in bettering their financial situation and education. While single dads may face some of the same issues, she says single women are more likely to be primary caregivers. We recently spoke with Ms. Gatta.
The Juggle: How is a recession going to affect this population?
Ms. Gatta: The same way it will affect everyone else, but even more so. Many of these women are working at hourly jobs, especially in the service economy, which depends on customers. If you are a waiter and no one comes in, you might be let go for the evening. Your pay may also depend on tips, so there's no salary guarantee . . . in this economy, we need to think through what are some new jobs they can be trained for.
The Juggle: What are the jobs?
Ms. Gatta: Jobs in health care, like registered nurses. Another thing to think about is career ladders within the service economy that would allow them to move up from entry-level jobs.
The Juggle: Of all the issues the candidates are talking about in the current campaign, which do you think is the most relevant to single working parents?
Ms. Gatta: Child care is a major issue. It's hard to go to work when you do not have child care.
The Juggle: What can be done right now to keep vulnerable single moms from falling through the cracks?
Ms. Gatta: Not having skills and education to move into a better- paying job is a really big problem. . . . A growing number of online courses, through state funds and scholarships, can help working mothers complete their education. That way they don't have to deal with child-care issues, transport issues, and can take classes around [their] work schedule.
Readers say:
"Maybe if more men took accountability for proper birth control, there would be fewer single mothers working two jobs to make ends meet. [Men] should be accountable for helping to raise and support the child."
"I'm hoping the next president will work on providing more affordable access to day care and health insurance, which single moms need if they hope to become financially self-sufficient."
The Pregnant Commuter
On a recent evening during New York City rush hour, I was crammed into a packed subway car. Just as I was feeling sorry for myself for being forced to snuggle with strangers, I saw a very pregnant woman trying to make her way through the crowd. I reminded myself that no matter how uncomfortable I was, she probably felt worse.
Long or crowded commutes are no picnic in general, but feeling nauseated -- or enormous -- can make the experience downright awful. People don't always give up their seat. I imagine getting to work by car has its downsides, too. Of course, plenty of pregnant women don't find commuting to be a problem. But most have at least one horror story.
Readers say:
"I am currently 8 months pregnant and I will always ask for a seat if someone doesn't volunteer. People are normally nice about it . . ."
"I'm 8 months along in my pregnancy, and only this week did anyone offer me a seat on the subway."
Keeping Up With School News
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By John J. Edwards III
As "symbolic analysts" -- former Labor Secretary Robert Reich's term for knowledge-industry workers who manipulate words and numbers rather than physical tools -- my wife and I are bombarded with information all day long. But it's often a challenge to get the right amount of school information, since we aren't around for most school pickups and other midday class events.
Most recently, we almost missed learning about a "universal pre-K" subsidy that our town offers. We could have asked about it at the principal's office, but with scant time during dropoffs, and with pickups handled by our baby sitter, we probably wouldn't have had a chance.
Readers say:
"I really depend on the stay-at-home moms for a lot of information. . . . I also try to share as much information as possible at weekend birthday parties, etc."
"Our school and district is actually very good with using e-mail communications -- you can subscribe to every area of the Web site for email notifications and the calendar can be exported to Outlook."
