Raise a family, then pursue a career? The math doesn't work
Social conservatives now assure American women they can still “have it all” if they just do it in sequence, starting with early motherhood and later taking on a job. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 Report claims it’s a mistake for women to postpone childbearing to pursue higher education and begin their careers. Heritage spokeswoman Emma Waters advises women: “Use your twenties and early…
Social conservatives are telling American women they can "have it all" by following a specific sequence of events, starting with early motherhood and proceeding to building a career later on. However, a recent analysis of Census Bureau data suggests that this advice may not be practical for many women.
According to the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 Report, women should prioritize having children in their twenties and early thirties, then focus on advancing their careers in their forties and fifties. In an interview, Heritage spokeswoman Emma Waters suggested women use their twenties and early thirties for babies and brainstorming, and then accelerate professionally as their children grow older if they wish to.
Despite these recommendations, the data shows that more than half of American mothers become the primary breadwinner for their family by the time their first child reaches the age of eight. By the time their first child turns 18, over 70% of mothers are the chief household breadwinner. On average, a mother spends more than six years as the primary wage earner for her family. Additionally, 20% of women start motherhood as the family breadwinner.
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