Participation in the labor force has surged among women in their prime working years. But for those with children under 5, the gains may have peaked.According to The New York Times, there has been a significant increase in the number of women participating in the labor force, particularly among those in their prime working years. However, for women with children under the age of 5, this trend may have reached its peak. Jessica Cuevas, a 35-year-old mother from Chicago, is one of many women who have had to make career changes due to the challenges of balancing work and childcare.

Cuevas, who previously worked as a college counselor, switched to a remote corporate job at a grocery store chain after giving birth to her first son in January 2021. This allowed her more flexibility and saved her commuting time. However, after her second son was born two years later, she had to quit her job as her parents, who had been helping with childcare, started spending more time in Mexico. This left her without an affordable and reliable childcare option.

Currently, Cuevas works part-time from home for an education nonprofit, but the work is sporadic and the pay is inconsistent. She and her husband want to buy a bigger house, but the cost of childcare is a major concern. Cuevas fears that the expense of childcare would outweigh any financial benefits of a full-time job.

While the overall labor force participation rate for women in their prime working years has reached a record high of 78.1 percent in May, there are indications that the participation rate for women with children under 5 has plateaued since September. This is according to an analysis by the Hamilton Project, an economic policy research group at the Brookings Institution.

It is clear that many women, like Cuevas, are facing challenges in balancing work and childcare, which may be hindering their ability to fully participate in the labor force. This is a concern, especially considering the current state of the economy and the high cost of living. As a result, many women feel stuck and unable to pursue their career goals. 

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