I spoke with Dr. Jess Calarco about her recent book, Holding It Together: How Women Became America's Safety Net.

In the first half, which posted in the previous episode, Dr. Calarco shared how there are many labor-intensive tasks that are required for society to run in its current form and structure. But rather than ensure that those necessary tasks are done and paid for by the society that demands them, we dump them onto women, in the process limiting their ability to fully participate in society.

In this episode, we continued to speak about why that is a problem, the ways that it manifests as such, and how we might build something better for everyone.

Other resources recommended by Dr. Calarco:

Crawling Behind: America's Childcare Crisis and How to Fix It by Elliot Haspel

The Age of Dignity: Preparing for the Elder Boom in a Changing America by Ai-Jen Poo

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive by Stephanie Land

Also available as a Netflix show: Maid: Season 1 Trailer

9 to 5 starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin

Music is by Evan Schaeffer.