Response to Times’ Article about Job Loss (and Gender Roles)

This article (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/12/us/12families.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=behavior%20effects%20on%20children%20the%20economy&st=cse) describes the aftermath of the economic crisis for a family of four living in Texas. The husband lost his job over a year ago, and the stress of his unemployment has trickled down to his kids. It is evident in their behavior: one daughter has become more anxious and pulls out her hair, the other has started throwing frequent tantrums. His wife only works part time—something she had to do after her husband lost his job, which has put a lot of stress on the whole family. It has been indicated that parental job loss is harmful to children’s school performance and self-esteem. One developmental psychologist, Dr. Kalil, suggests that these adverse effects were more prevalent in children whose fathers had been laid off, rather than mothers. She attributes this phenomenon to the “importance of working to the male self-image,” or the fact that women who experience unemployment are more likely to spend time with their children. One woman expressed her happiness in having to become a homemaker after getting laid off, even though the family suffered financially: “This morning, we baked cookies together. I have time to help them with homework. I’m attending church. The house is managed by me. Just a lot more homemaker-type stuff, which I think is more nurturing to them.”

I can’t help but cringe a little bit when I read this because, even though I appreciate the joy of spending time with children, it’s just upsetting to read that it’s not so bad when a woman is unemployed because now she can fulfill her real role, aka housewife. But, god forbid, if a man doesn’t have a job, he has no identity, ruins the family dynamic, and causes his 9 year old to start pulling out her hair. Of course, these two examples are extremes, but they were reported in The New York Times! I feel like this article does a really good job of reinforcing the stereotype that men are not nurturing and need to be the bread-winners, while women have to stay at home and bake cookies for the kiddies.