Parents’ predicaments has been a theme we’ve returned to again and again here at the Berke-Weiss Law Blog since the start of March, though our concern over working parents’, and especially mothers’, rights reaches back much longer than six months. We’ve highlighted pertinent research, journalism, controversy, and statistics about the myriad ways parents have been affected by lockdowns and changes in working practices and laws, like the FFCRA, over the course of the year.
But whatever long-term changes may be in store for the state of parenting, childcare, and elderly care in the years to come, it is undeniable that many parents are suffering right now, and you may be asking yourself, What can I do to help? while schools remain remote and parents lose income. Over the weekend, the New York Times provided some suggestions for things you can do that can make an impact immediate.
Because of lost income and layoffs, food insecurity has been one of the biggest concerns for parents. According to the article, “more than 50 million people with children under 18 at home say their household has lost income since March 13” and almost one in every eight households in the U.S. don’t have enough to eat. Other major issues include lack of supplies for infants and housing insecurity, including utilities.
We encourage you to look through this article, but don’t limit yourself to it. There are many ways for you to get involved with helping others in your community. It could be volunteering to set up or supervise a pod with other parents, helping at a food bank, or ensuring that local leaders maintain eviction moratoriums that allow people to remain in their homes.
