The Therapy Edit One Thing with Joeli Brearley on why the Motherhood Penalty is not your fault
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Sep 8, 2023 Joeli Brearley, campaigner and founder of Pregnant Then Screwed, discusses the systemic issues surrounding the motherhood penalty. She emphasizes that this discrimination is not a personal failure but a broader societal issue that affects many mothers. Joeli shares her journey in founding her organization, the successful campaigns for better childcare support, and the critical need for legal advocacy. She also highlights practical steps for women facing discrimination and the importance of community support.
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Pushed Out For Telling Employer
- Joeli recounts being pushed out of her job after telling her employer she was pregnant.
- That isolation led her to start Pregnant Then Screwed to share women's stories and fight systemic discrimination.
Motherhood Penalty Is Systemic
- The motherhood penalty is systemic, not an individual failing; most women face discrimination after pregnancy or childbirth.
- Joeli Brearley says the problem lies with employers and societal systems that haven't adapted to biological reality.
Discrimination Often Looks Like Gaslighting
- Pregnancy discrimination is often subtle, gradual, and undocumented, which feels like gaslighting to women.
- Joeli explains this drip-feed bullying makes it hard to prove and to advocate for yourself.
