We’re Wrong About Stay-At-Home Moms: Sarah Green Carmichael

We can’t blame the tradwives. Even before these apron-wearing TikTokkers took over my social feeds with their homeschooling and jam-making, the stereotype of the stay-at-home mom as contented, even privileged, was firmly entrenched.

But the reality of most nonemployed mothers is far different. A third of at-home mothers live in poverty, compared to just 12% of working mothers. The lower a mother’s level of education, the likelier she is to be at home with her children.

Many of these moms aren’t staying home because they want to, but because they have the hardest time finding steady employment. One big ...