We know that working mothers had a really hard time during the pandemic. It was untenable. Three million women left the workforce last year, and less than half have returned. But why was it so common for moms to quit instead of dads? Recode’s Rani Molla talks with sociologist Jessica Calarco about the structural and cultural forces that make it easier for women to quit their jobs to take care of the kids.

Read Rani’s story here. 

If you’re interested in Jessica Calarco’s work, you can find her recent paper here.

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