During the pandemic, mothers saw a dramatic increase in workforce participation levels. however, since the beginning of 2025, those levels have seen continuous declines eliminating their pandemic gains.
Costs have reached new heights just as federal subsidies that helped providers cover staffing and other expenses come to an end.
The availability of affordable child care is limiting mothers’ options for returning to full-time work after the pandemic.
The Brookings Institution says those mothers, especially Black and Latinx women, are still struggling to regain jobs.
Teacher Nia Grigsby started The School Box Toolbox when her own daughters were running low on supplies early in the pandemic.
Pulling back from work can put parents behind indefinitely on their career tracks.
The pay gap is even greater for women of color.
