President Biden recently took to Twitter to complain that women are “locked out of the workforce because they have to care for a child or an elderly relative at home” and tout his “Build Back Better” Act so that women can “get back to work.” This sentiment is deeply anti-family and belittles women who choose to stay at home as mothers and caregivers.

Half the women in America with children under the age of 18 prefer to stay home. Not only that, but 60% of Americans say that having a parent, particularly a mother, stay at home is best for children. The research backs this up — stay-at-home parenting is good for children. Kids with a stay-at-home parent are less likely to struggle academically, have lower stress levels, and fewer behavior issues. Rather than acknowledge any of this, President Biden bemoans the fact that these women are at home instead of in the workforce. This attitude devalues motherhood and caregiving, and is completely dismissive toward children and older adults.

What if our priority was not ensuring that as many parents as possible are away from their children for at least half of their waking hours in pursuit of transient economic gain, and instead focused on supporting families? Devaluing families and belittling those who stay at home as caregivers is not “building back better.” It is profoundly disrespectful and shows a complete disregard for young and old alike.

Furthermore, is it any surprise that we see staffing shortages in day cares, group homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities when our elected officials lead the way in treating caregiving as less valuable than whatever other jobs President Biden wishes people would get back to—only, of course, after submitting to mandatory COVID-19 vaccination?

The work of raising the next generation and caring for ageing family members is incredibly valuable because our families matter. Mothers and caregivers should never be minimized like this, especially not by the person holding the highest elected office in the land. Perhaps needs to think less about the workforce participation rate and more about how he can use the “bully pulpit” to support and strengthen families.

(Image: Unsplash, Larry Crayton)