What does it mean to be middle class?
Many people are feeling squeezed in today’s economy, with the prospect of affording college and a house, as well as saving for retirement, feeling further out of reach.
Air Date: October 2, 2025 12:00 pm
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Some mothers wish to return to work as soon as possible, while others prefer to stay home and care for their children; their reasons for these choices differ greatly.
More women are leaving the labor force – especially mothers of young children. More than 200,000 have quit this year alone. That’s the steepest decline in four decades, wiping out many of the job gains made during the pandemic.
For years, women have been told they could have it all – a fulfilling work and home life. Remember Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg telling moms to “lean in” to career and family. But over a decade later, many mothers are finding it’s too difficult to balance both.
So, why are women, particularly young mothers, quitting and putting their careers on hold? And what’s driving the change? In-office mandates? Rising child care costs? Changing family priorities? Something else?
Guests:
Corinne Low – author of Having It All
Julie Kashen – The Century Foundation
Issie Lapowsky – New York Times contributor