Rebounding from a “Mancession,” Remembering the Ladies
Guest blogger: Bettina Hager, NWPC Programs Director
President Obama recently laid out his new “American Jobs Act” before Congress in the hope of revitalizing our economy, putting the willing to work and finally ending one of the Nation’s longest and worst recessions. With unemployment at a startling high--and making only marginal, if any, improvements monthly--the country has one thing on its mind…JOBS.
The White House put much time and effort into outlining the effects of the Jobs Act for all demographics, including a fact sheet devoted exclusively to the effect on women and the economy. Still it is hard not to wonder if, during this hoped for recovery from what is widely coined the “mancession,” we will again need to remind the Nation to “remember the ladies.”
The fact is that men did see a greater overall job loss and increase in unemployment rate during the recession. However, the jobs that are being created are largely going to men. While the meager return of 27% of men’s jobs deserves little celebration, it looks healthy compared to the 9% return rate seen for women.[i]
One must also question whether the "mancession" was an economic phenomenon that unfairly hit men or if it was in part due to the fact that women were the ones more willing to take the jobs men viewed as beneath their station or steps down the ladder. When it comes to mouths to feed and doctors’ bills to pay, most women quickly get over such objections. It takes blind faith to believe that as higher paying jobs are created, companies will reward these women’s efforts with promotions from within. As the nation rebuilds, we must make sure that women are at the decision-making table and voting their interests.
When Abigail Adams beseeched her husband, John Adams, during the writing of the Constitution to advocate for women’s legal rights, famously to “remember the ladies,” it was out of necessity. She knew that women did not have the right to vote, let alone a dream of serving in Congress or higher office. It is now our prerogative, nay, our responsibility to make sure no one forgets the ladies. We have the vote, we have the voice, let’s make sure we’re heard.
“If particular care is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no representation.”- Abigail Adams, March 31, 1776.
You tell ‘em sister.
[i]Quick Figures: Job Gap Between Women and Men Persists in August. September 2011. Institute for Women’s Policy Research. 13 September 2011. <http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/USEOPWH/2011/09/08/file_attachments/56898/FACT_SHEET_WOMEN%20American_Jobs_Act.pdf>
This post is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.
This post is part of the #HERvotes blog carnival.
Our Sister Organizations are posting Blogs all throughout the Cybersphere in honor of #HERvotes. We heartily encourage you to read, share, re-post, tweet and Facebook about this important campaign. #HERvotes #jobs
President’s Jobs Plan Benefits Women, by Ellie Smeal
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/09/09/president%E2%80%99s-job-plan-benefits-women/
The Care Crisis, by Premilla Nadasen
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/09/09/the-care-crisis/
The Old Boys’ Club Still Meets on the Golf Course, by Holly Derrhttp://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/08/29/the-old-boys-club-still-meets-on-the-golf-course/
Women Must Speak Up for Their Jobs, Sherry Saunders
http://youngwomenmisbehavin.com/2011/09/15/hervotes-blog-carnival-women-must-speak-up-for-their-jobs/
Women Must Be a Part of Our Recovery, by Linda D. Hallman
http://blog-aauw.org/2011/09/15/women-must-be-a-part-of-our-recovery/
Where are the Jobs for Recent Graduates,by Kendra McCormick
http://ncwo.tumblr.com/post/10237744073/where-are-the-jobs-for-recent-graduates
"Do you mind taking a short detour so I can vote?," by Emily Alfano
http://www.ncjw.org/insider/client/index.cfm/2011/9/15/Do-you-mind-taking-a-short-detour-so-I-can-vote
More Women Face Unemployment as Public Sector Jobs are Now Targeted
http://www.now.org/news/blogs/index.php/sayit/2011/09/15/more-women-face-unemployment-as-public-sector-jobs-are-targeted
Where's the Women's Opportunity
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/07/01/wheres-the-womens-opportunity/
A Recession for White Americans a Depression for Black and Latino Americans
http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/07/28/a-recession-for-white-americans-a-depression-for-black-and-latino-americans/
Mancession Gives way to He-covery
http://feminist.org/blog/index.php/2011/09/15/mancession-gives-way-to-he-covery/
Young People Hit by High Poverty and Unemployment
http://feministcampus.org/blog/index.php/2011/09/15/hervotes-young-people-hit-by-high-poverty-and-unemployment/
