Stop Discrimination Against Moms

What is maternal profiling?

A. The practice of selling stiff undergarments that promise a return to one's pre-pregnancy profile.

B. How the Oprah Show executives determine their prime demographic.

C. Employment discrimination against a woman who has, or will have, children.

D. Routine stop and searches of swerving minivans to check if violence is being perpetrated via flying food between minors.

Answer: C.

Maternal profiling is one of the new buzzwords of 2007, as reported in the New York Times.

Employment discrimination against a woman who has, or will have, children. The term has been popularized by members of MomsRising, an advocacy group promoting the rights of mothers in the workplace.

Use of the term sexual harassment led to major legislative and cultural changes. Using the term maternal profiling in our blogs and conversations may do the same.

One recent study found that mothers are 79 percent less likely to be hired than non-mothers with equal education and experience. Women without children make 90 cents to a man's dollar, but mothers make only 73 cents to a man's dollar, and single mothers make about 60 cents to a man's dollar.

We are supposedly a family-friendly nation. Help make it so. Want to know more? Visit Mom's Rising.

Tags: maternal profiling, discrimination against moms