Finding Time
In “Finding Time: The Economics of Work-Life Conflict,” author Heather Boushey argues that resolving work-life conflicts is as vital for individuals and families as it is essential for realizing the United States’ productive potential. The federal government, however, largely ignores the connection between individual work-life conflicts and more sustainable economic growth. The consequence: business and government treat the most important things in life—health, children, elders—as matters for workers to care about entirely on their own time and dime. That might have worked in the past, but only thanks to a hidden subsidy: the American Wife, a behind-the-scenes, stay-at-home fixer of what economists call market failures. When women left the home—out of desire and necessity—the old system fell apart. Families and the larger economy have yet to recover.
But change is possible. “Finding Time” presents detailed innovations to help Americans find the time they need and help businesses attract more productive workers. A policy wonk with working-class roots and a deep understanding of the stresses faced by families up and down the income ladder, Heather Boushey demonstrates with clarity and compassion that economic efficiency and equity do not have to be enemies. They can be reconciled if we have the vision to forge a new social contract for business, government, and private citizens.
Resources
Issue Brief
Working mothers with infants and toddlers and the importance of family economic security, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, June 29, 2016.
Issue Brief
Garnering economic security is complicated for young families, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, May 5, 2016
Interactive
The changing economics of the American family, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, April 20, 2016
Issue Brief
Across races, women bolster family economic security, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, April 18, 2016
Issue Brief
Women have made the difference for family economic security, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, April 4, 2016
Column
Give working women their due for caregiving in economic policy debates, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, March 1, 2016
Column
A New Agenda for American Families and the Economy, Dissent Magazine, Summer 2014
Testimony
Expanding Economic Opportunity for Women and Families, Washington Center for Equitable Growth, May 13, 2014
Video
Finding Time: A Book Talk with Heather Boushey, Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities, March 15, 2016
Media Mentions
Review
Paying for the Second Shift, American Association of University Women’s Outlook Magazine, Summer 2016
Audio
TalkPoverty continues their summer reading series with Heather Boushey of the Washington Center for Equitable Growth and author of Finding Time: The Economics of Work-Life Conflict, TalkPoverty Podcast, August 5, 2016
In the News
“The truth about the gender wage gap”, Vox, August 1, 2016
Video
Whose Issues Are They? The Politics of Work, Childcare, and Family in an Election Year, The Hill, July 26, 2016
Audio
Heather Boushey and Maureen Conway, The Worklife Hub, June 16, 2016
Audio
Kitchen Table Politics: The Cost Of Caring For Kids, FiveThirtyEight, June 16, 2016
Review
How to fix feminism, The New York Times, June 10, 2016
Audio
“Alphachat: merging with our longform podcast; responding to listeners; Heather Boushey on the economics of work and life”, FT Alphaville, ft.com, June 10, 2016
Q & A
“Author Insights: Heather Boushey on the Economics of Work-Life Conflict”, Workflexibility.org, May 24, 2016
Review
“Can the Working Family Work in America?”, The American Prospect, May 17, 2016
In the News
“Work-Life Issues Have Finally Taken Center Stage”, AlterNet, April 28, 2016
Review
“New Book Proves How Paid Family Leave Helps Everyone, Not Just Parents,” Babble, April 23, 2016
Review
“Heather Boushey’s Finding Time Drops the Mic on Work-Life Conflict,” Vogue, April 20, 2016
Review
“Banking on Balance,” Science, April 15, 2016
In the News
“There is a powerful relationship between the population of single women and social progress,” Quartz, April 10, 2016
In the News
“Q&A: Heather Boushey on Why Work-Life Policies Aren’t Just “Something for the Ladies,””
Wall Street Journal, March 14, 2016
In the News
“Why Working Parents Should Add “Raising A Kid” To Their Resumes,”
Fast Company, March 22, 2016
Excerpt
“Home Economics,” Democracy Journal, Spring 2016 Issue