National Working Parents Day – September 16, 2022, history, significance, FAQS
Working Parents Day is an annual celebration that takes place on September 16. Working parents have to manage several responsibilities at one time. Holding down a full-time job, taking care of their children’s all-round needs, daily household responsibilities, and most importantly, taking care of themselves. It’s only fair they get the appreciation they deserve.
HISTORY OF WORKING PARENTS DAY
The creators of Working Parents Day remain unclear, however, it is a much-needed holiday to appreciate the efforts of people who handle multiple responsibilities. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that around 61% of families with children have both parents working outside the home.
Back in the 1700s through the 1900s, traditional gender roles for non-white immigrants were overlooked as both needed to work in order to survive. Later, immigrants of Chinese descent saw both father and mother running laundry houses. The situation later changed as mothers started taking up more household activities.
Much later, in the 1950s and 1960s, television shows portrayed a stereotypical culture where men went to work to earn money and support their families while women stayed at home as housewives and caregivers for children. This led to the deep-rooted belief that men and women had to follow these gender roles and any other way would receive negative flak from society.
Now in the current age, we see way more mothers in the workforce and it is a welcome change. Parents have realized the importance of breaking stereotypes and doing what works best for them. Parents even tend to find flexible work hours where at least one parent stays home with the child.
Each aspect of their daily lives is otherwise carefully planned by working parents to ensure everyone’s needs are met in the best way possible. Working parents are unsung heroes and deserve more than they get. However, family meals and other small experiences are what make it all worth it.
WORKING PARENTS DAY TIMELINE
2016
Sacrifices for Family
A study estimates that approximately two million parents have made career sacrifices for their families.
2017
Working Mothers as Breadwinners
41% of working mothers in the U.S. are family breadwinners, earning at least half of the total household income.
2018
The Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that almost 33.6 million families have at least one child at home under the age of 18.
2019
Labor Force Participation
The labor force participation rate of mothers with children under six is 66.4%.
HOW TO OBSERVE WORKING PARENTS DAY
Create an event
A typical organization will be filled with employees who are parents. As a gesture of appreciation, offices can create an event dedicated to working parents, filled with activities they can use to unwind. If not an on-site event, working parents can be given some concessions periodically to rejuvenate and get some time off to balance out their personal and professional lives.
Spend time with your children
While work is important and it is no small feat to have a job while parenting, use this day to take a day off and spend time with your children and create memories. You do not have to do something extraordinarily grand to celebrate the day. A simple lunch followed by a movie marathon or an outdoor picnic would be an ideal way to celebrate this day.
Indulge in self-care
Juggling two important roles can be tough and can take a toll on your overall well-being. On Working Parents Day, treat yourself to a self-care day. Go to a spa, get a massage, order yourself some comfort food, or simply sleep in and have a lazy day.
5 AMAZING FACTS ABOUT WORKING PARENTS
Marriage Bars
At a time, married women in some countries were prohibited from working outside the home through marriage bars.
Stereotypes
It is harder for women to maintain a work-life balance, owing to society’s added pressure on women being a caretaker first.
Strong housewife traditions
The Netherlands and Irelands have some of the strongest housewife traditions.
Mommy wars
The phrase “mommy wars” is used to describe a conflict for mothers in being full-time caregivers and working professionals.
The glass ceiling
Working mothers are often faced with a glass ceiling situation where they are unable to climb the corporate ladder, owing to household responsibilities.
WHY WORKING PARENTS DAY IS IMPORTANT
Appreciates working parents
Being a working parent is no joke. It requires a lot of mental and physical stamina. Working Parents Day appreciates the efforts of these individuals to make it work for them and give them the recognition they deserve.
Encourages dual responsibilities
Many parents, especially mothers, often feel guilty for leaving their children at home while they go to work. This has often been caused by societal norms. However, Working Parents Day breaks away from that trend and instead appreciates the people who make the hard decision to work and be a parent at the same time.
Fosters a community
Working Parents Day fosters a community of sorts of professionals who have a job to do at home and in the office. It allows them to find a common platform and share their experiences with others who understand their position.
How to Celebrate the Day
The best way to celebrate the day is by helping your parents with the household routines. Show your love for those tirelessly working beings with a love note or present them with any useful gifts. The one another best gift any child can give to his/her parents by spending the time to talk with them. Post and share your Working Parents Day celebrations using the hashtag #NationalWorkingParentsDay
WORKING PARENTS DAY FAQS
What do working parents represent?
A working parent is typically a father or a mother who holds a single or more job and juggles a professional and family life.
What benefits can working parents get?
Working parents may be entitled to some benefits such as Child Tax Credit, Childcare, Flexible Working, Parental Leave, etc.
What are the advantages of working parents?
There are some advantages to having working parents in the household such as reduced financial burden, quality daycare, early education, and so forth.
