Years ago, Home Economics classes used to ready young ladies for their future duties in the home. While many of those duties remain relevant (cooking! cleaning! mending!) – and are still more often handled by women, we’re inviting you to join us for a whole different kind of home economics “class,” one that focuses on the high cost of motherhood in the United States – and how we can lower it. And it’s not really a class, in fact, but a far more interesting and productive reading, discussion and action group. The topic we tackle is the economics of motherhood, which definitely won’t teach you how to iron or darn socks, though we may well discuss them!
Why a discussion & action group for mothers? Because one way to start lowering the high cost of motherhood is to read and talk about it, together, so we collectively understand why it’s so high, so we can see that it’s not just our own individual problem (though it can feel that way), and so we can build the skills to be part of the movement for change.
To get that conversation started, the Family Forward Education Fund is hosting a six-session, discussion and action course for mothers this spring at our Portland office – and we want you to participate. It’s called:
The High Cost of Motherhood & What We Can Do to Lower It
Topics we’ll cover:
- The Economic Marginalization of Mothers (week 1)
- Does Work Work? (week 2)
- The Care Economy (week 3)
- Supporting Families US-style v. the Rest of the World (week 4)
- Taking Action: Some Solutions (week 5)
- Taking Action: But How? (week 6)
Our first meeting is Sunday, April 15th from 2-4 PM at Family Forward Oregon’s Inner SE Portland office. For more information and to register, just email lisa@familyforwardoregon.org with your full name and phone number.
We’re looking forward to discussing these issues with you – and plotting a course for change together.
Don’t live in Portland? Can’t make this 6-week series work? Don’t worry! We can work with you to host one where you live in Oregon or at a different time. You can also host your own series with your own network with our support. Email lisa@familyforwardoregon.org anyway — we’ll do our best to make it work, anyway.
