Q&A #3: Why do you have to go to work?

Listener Kelsey posted in the Your Parenting Mojo Facebook community a while ago asking how she should respond when her child asks: "Why does Daddy have to go to work?" She got some great answers from community members...and yet there was also a lot more to explore. I asked her to record her question so I could answer it in an episode, so here it is!

Of course, the issue of Daddy going to work has intersections with patriarchy as well...and many Your Parenting Mojo listeners of both/all genders work and probably hear this question from their children, so I adjusted the title of the episode a little.

The episode looks at capitalism and how it impacts our families and other peoples' families...and how we can start to have conversations about that with our children.

If you'd like to ask a question for me to answer in a future Q&A episode, please email a link to a video of you asking the question to [email protected], or go to yourparentingmojo.com/question and look for the Record A Question button.

00:58 Listener Kelsey asks how to honestly but age-appropriately answer the question, "Why does daddy have to go to work?"

02:54 Carys shares her ideas on capitalism and work

14:10 Kelsey's child isn't necessarily questioning why Daddy has to work, but rather why Daddy isn't available to play

17:51 The cultural devaluation of certain types of work, the influence of capitalism, housing discrimination, and societal expectations contribute to financial burdens

23:32 Every time we're making a choice to buy something, that is a choice to spend more time working

24:00 The mindset plays a significant role in finding joy and value in any job

25:16 Job satisfaction, financial security, and the role of money in addressing challenges and enhancing safety are crucial in deciding on work

27:26 Money doesn’t guarantee safety

30:11 Undervalued care work, predominantly performed by women, is crucial for the capitalist system.

31:47 Building communities that meet each other's needs can provide more choices and reduce reliance on financial resources.

32:59 We can talk to our children about capitalism, explaining that work allows us to meet our needs and wants, while addressing the inequalities and challenges that some people face. 

35:14 Teaching children about capitalism and its objections fosters critical thinking about fairness, inequality, and alternative economic perspectives.

37:40 Teaching financial literacy to children should involve a critical examination of capitalist-focused programs

42:24 Wrapping up