Drake and Kendrick are beefing, but who pays? Plus, moms as our social safety net
May 10, 2024
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Sidney Madden and Tirhakah Love discuss the heated beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, touching on dark accusations in their diss tracks. They then delve into the societal reliance on women as a social safety net, exploring the implications of lacking universal support systems.
Women in the US are essential as a social safety net due to lacking government support systems.
The DIY nature of American society perpetuates gender myths assigning caregiving roles to women, hindering the push for comprehensive support programs.
Deep dives
American Social Safety Net and Women's Role
In the US, women are integral to acting as a social safety net due to the lack of comprehensive government support systems. The podcast explores how women, especially mothers, are burdened with managing risks and caretaking responsibilities due to societal expectations. This dynamic is perpetuated by the DIY nature of American society and deep-rooted gender myths that assign caregiving roles to women. Policies like guaranteed paid family leave and universal childcare are examined in light of these challenges.
History of Childcare Centers in the US
During World War II, childcare centers were established to support women entering the workforce, showcasing a potential alternative path for the US social safety net. However, after the war, these centers were not made permanent, reinforcing the reliance on women, particularly mothers, to manage care work and family responsibilities without sufficient government support. The decision to prioritize short-term economic interests over long-term social well-being set the stage for ongoing challenges faced by women.
Meritocracy Myth and Social Safety Nets
The myth of meritocracy in America, where hard work is believed to guarantee success, hinders the push for a stronger social safety net. This belief often leads individuals to feel solely responsible for their economic outcomes, overlooking systemic barriers and the need for comprehensive support programs. The meritocracy myth contributes to resistance towards policies that aim to provide universal healthcare, childcare, and other essential services.
Impact of Gender Myths on Social Policy Support
Belief in the Mars-Venus myth, which assigns caregiving roles to women and work roles to men, influences public opinion on social policies. Dads who endorse this myth are less likely to support programs like free childcare and paid family leave, perpetuating gender norms that limit support for comprehensive social safety nets. Supermom myth, portraying mothers as protectors of children, reinforces caregiving burdens on women and impedes broader societal investment in equitable care systems.
Drake and Kendrick have been trading diss tracks for weeks, and it's gotten darker and darker with each track. Drake accuses Kendrick of beating women, and Kendrick accuses Drake of abusing minors. It's a spectacle, but who are the pawns? Brittany chats with NPR Music's Sidney Madden and writer Tirhakah Love about the collateral damage in this rap beef.
Then, Brittany turns to Holding It Together a new book that describes how America has avoided building a social safety net and instead relies on women to provide the services that could be universal to all. Author Jessica Calarco joins the show to dive into the book and take a look at the cultural forces that keep women holding it all together.