Why does anyone oppose paid family leave when it's so obviously beneficial for children, parents, and families? Because paid family leave increases gender equality. And that further erodes the male monopoly on power, money, and independence. jill.substack.com/p/free-female-…
There isn’t some big conspiracy here, but there is a set of transparent motivations. There is a plan. The plan is: Women work for free so that men can work for money, in a capitalist society in which money is necessary for safety, independence, and power.
More women in the workforce means fewer men who benefit from an artificially small pool of competition, who can rely on women’s unpaid labor to enable their careers, and who enjoy more power at home & work because they make the money. Enforced female subordination benefits men.
And truly #NotAllMen. Men spend more time with their kids than ever before. Men are increasingly likely to say they lack work-life balance and want more time with their families. Lots of men know they would benefit hugely from paid family leave, because lots of men aren't idiots.
But opposition to paid family leave is part of a broader social & political strategy that aims to maintain a male monopoly on power, money, and independence, and the only way to do that is to depress competition from women and enforce female dependence on & unpaid support of men.
And yeah I am in a frothing rage over this. I don't have kids, and these old-ass ovaries may never make a kid, so I have no personal interest in paid leave. But I have a HUGE personal interest in my own equality and opportunities, not to mention a fair society and healthy kids.
If you liked this piece, I would be just thrilled if you would subscribe to my newsletter. jill.substack.com
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