Why moms are leaving their paid jobs

This NPR Planet Money Indicator podcast episode discusses the decline in the number of mothers in the workforce in the first half of 2025, focusing on the experiences of several mothers who have reduced their work hours or left their jobs. The decrease is analyzed in the context of broader economic trends, with an economist highlighting the significance of this trend as an indicator of overall labor market health, particularly for mothers of young children and Black mothers. The episode features interviews with working mothers who explain their reasons for scaling back their work lives, ranging from a desire to spend more time with children to the need for greater flexibility due to family caregiving responsibilities. The impact of return-to-office policies and the challenges of balancing work and family are also explored.