Posted on 06/24/2014 5:13:28 AM PDT by reaganaut1
Tracy Murphy was managing a nonprofit agency five years ago when her mother became seriously ill with heart problems. She promptly left her job to care for her, a task that has consumed Ms. Murphy ever since.
“For me, it was a no-brainer,” said Ms. Murphy, who lives in Syracuse. “When I was growing up she sacrificed for me.”
Ms. Murphy, 54, set aside her career aspirations, drained her savings account and eventually sold her gold jewelry to help make ends meet while shuttling her mother, who is 85, to doctors’ appointments and running errands.
“I always felt like I can find another job eventually — but I only have one mother,” she said.
Ms. Murphy is part of a small but economically significant group that is bucking a powerful decades-long movement of women of all ages into the labor market. In the years since the last recession began, many women like Ms. Murphy, in their late 40s and early 50s, have left the work force just as they were reaching their peak earning years.
The demands on middle-aged women to care for their parents, particularly during difficult economic times that force many families to share resources, are not the only reason for the shift. Some economists also attribute the unexpected phenomenon to extensive budget cuts by state and local governments, which employ women in large numbers and were hit harder during this recession than in previous downturns.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Is it a bad thing for women to leave the workforce to care for family members? How do we know that the value such women create by caring for family is less than the value they create by working? The women who choose to quit to care for family probably have earning husbands. Their first dollar of income is taxed at the marginal rate for couples, which can higher than 40%, including state income taxes. The services they provide to family members are not taxed. Cutting marginal tax rates is one way to keep women and men in the workforce.
I know men who have done the same thing.
A former colleague walked away from a very lucrative career in his early 40’s to spend two years caring for his family as his wife died from cancer.
When he was ready to re-enter the workforce the only position available to him was a management job with a McDonald’s franchise, which he accepted.
Eventually worked his way back into his field but he certainly paid a price for the interruption. For all the right reasons IMO.
The price he paid was here on earth, the rewards are still ahead of him.
There is no getting a job in your 50s after being out of work for more than a year...
:-(
I suspect there wasn't much to "slip away" with that career.
Negative, I left a great job at a Police Dept to take care of my dying mother.
My father was alive and I told him pay me 200 dollars a week to meet my bills and I will take care of my mother. She died within 2 months and it was a decision I will never regret because I got 2 spend her last 2 months on earth with her caring for her. She passed away June 29 2004.
That catapulted me into the senior living industry, that I truly love. I LOVE working with Seniors. Then in 2009 my father fell ill at 82, I cared for him at home until death.
Honor your mother and father that all will be well with you in the land I have given you. I continue to trust God and stand on His Promise that things will ultimately work out for my good. My hope is in the Lord!
That is ABSOLUTELY INCORRECT! I lived it! I have a great job. Just got it in December. I am 57 yrs old.
Yes and NO. The Lord said, “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
It will be well with him HERE TO!!
BUMP! I am in the middle of living this scenario. the topic is very timely, as I woke up in a cold sweat at 2am this morning, worrying/wondering about the future.
I know. I know. ‘Worry’ is a lack of Faith - so thanks again for the reminder. It is what it is and it will be what it will be. :)
Blessings to you Diana!
I sure thought that was the case...got laid off from my contract job at IBM in September, 2010, was jobless for two years; my family moved from Colorado to Alabama, and I am now happily toiling for a hospital software company...the money isn't great but I am really grateful to be working. Don't give up hope, freepers!
I set aside my life to serve a dear friend for 6 years.
I lost contact with so many friends, missed awesome parties, beautiful women and gave up real business opportunities.
You don’t whine.
You do what you have to do.
You can always make money when your mission is done.
Oh, and I’m a man.
It was the greatest experience I ever had and don’t have a single regret. It had to be done.
they should get over themselves.
Hell, my Mom gave up so much to raise 5 kids and we’re all doing great. She did what had to be done and wouldn’t think of complaining.
No kids on drugs, alcohol or criminals.
We honor her. We take care of that which she can’t and send big bucks, so she can live well and have a good time.
It’s a great life if you don’t weaken and you shouldn’t take life so seriously. Ain’t none of us getting out of this alive.
Be grateful and smartly play the cards you are dealt.
No one is a victim.
We’re Americans.
Instead of whining about your life...design your life and be thankful to God you could do it....
Panzies....
Without specialized skills in real demand, yes, you are right. But the American people keep voting, as they did in SC, for more immigrant labor to depress their own wages. They are truly stuck on stupid and so shall remain.
Depends on your specific skills. I went back to school at age 50, earned a 2-year technical degree at age 52, and have worked as much as I wanted since. I have standing offers to come to work from two companies when, and if, my health improves enough. I will be 68 in two months.
Maybe not easily and maybe not as much money, but not impossible either. I was home ~10 years raising our sons before going back. I re-trained and switched into teaching. I had a job 5 days after my last final, at the age of 54. The money isn't great and I miss my old paycheck, but it's honest employment and I appreciate having the opportunity to guide young people. My husband is re-grouping at age 58 after being 'retired' from his job a few years too soon. He secured a part-time role in teaching and is working on expanding it or combining it with some contract work in his old field.
It's stressful and not where one hopes to be financially at this point in life, but we're still alive and nobody is shooting at us. My grandparents lived through worse, having survived Nazi occupation and Russian domination, losing everything except their lives. They never lost their honor, and their example helps keep me grounded.
“Be grateful and smartly play the cards you are dealt.”
AMEN!
Freepers are the most insightful, delightful, caring and supportive people on the planet.
My dad retired young. He was in a position to be able to do so, but the main reason was to help his mom who had cancer. Family helps family - or should anyway.
Thank you and bless you for putting in the love, effort and time to gain that wisdom and for sharing it here.
From the article:
“Those of us who have been put out to pasture prematurely should actually be about creating a new economy based on small businesses and based on whatever kinds of talents you have that weren’t being used in a formal 9-to-5 job,” she said.
Easier said than done, but before I’m too old, I seriously want one more ‘career’ that is ME-driven. I’ve been lucky and have fallen backwards into some pretty good jobs along the way, but mid-life is the time to finally do what *I* want to do. :)
reaganaut1 was kind enough to become a friend I’ll never forget.
She cheered me up when I was down, gave me the opportunity to “safely” share the hardship, showed me love and gave me strength for what was a difficult obligation to perform.
I’ll never forget her and will be forever grateful for her support, during a time that was very trying physically and emotionally.
Her husband also helped in ways I’ll forever recall for his kindness.
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