New Study Shows “Mommy Tax” Still Exists

Women who breastfeed their babies see a drop in their wages for as long as five years, a new study suggests.

After studying 1,300 first-time mothers, researchers at Acadia University found a strong correlation between mother who breastfed and a drop in their incomes. Mothers who used formula did not see this drop. This is another hidden cost that economically disadvantages women but not men.

So what does this mean? The simple, sexist answer is that new mothers get distracted from their jobs and lose wages because they can’t all their lady emotions in check. But this is BS.

Our culture still has a problem with working mothers, despite the fact that the majority of mothers work. Many sociologists and gender studies experts believe this is why new mothers are discriminated against at work. When the private, feminine act of breast-feeding enters the public, masculine realm of work, people freak and women are punished.

The combination of motherhood and work is still seen as inappropriate. Bosses (the majority of whom are still men) can get uncomfortable and either fire or demote new moms. This “mommy tax” continues to discriminate against women.

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