This group of women is leaving the labor force—again
Women have made gains since many were forced out of the workforce during the pandemic. But that could be changing.
Women have made gains since many were forced out of the workforce during the pandemic. But that could be changing.
The "Great Regression": Why Women Are Being Pushed Out of the Workforce Again
After years of fighting to regain the ground lost during the pandemic, American women are facing a new and troubling reality. In 2025, the hard-won gains in female labor force participation began to evaporate, signaling what experts are calling a "Great Regression" for working mothers and women of color.
Recent data paints a stark picture of a workforce in flux—and the results aren't equitable.
The Numbers: A Widening Gap
While the post-pandemic recovery once saw women’s participation reach record highs, 2025 saw those numbers slip. According to an analysis by the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC), the gender gap in the labor market is reopening:
Mass Exits: In the first half of 2025 alone, 212,000 women left the workforce.
A December to Forget: In the final month of the year, 91,000 women exited the labor force. Because 10,000 men entered the workforce during that same period, the net loss of 81,000 workers was comprised entirely of women.
Stagnant Growth: Throughout 2025, the pool of male workers grew by 572,000, while the female workforce expanded by a meager 184,000.
The Motherhood Penalty and the "Return to Office"
The primary driver of this decline is the erosion of flexibility. For many parents, remote work was the "secret sauce" that made juggling professional duties and childcare possible.
However, 2025 marked the end of the flexible era for many. Major corporations like Amazon and JPMorgan Chase transitioned to 5-day-a-week in-office mandates. For mothers of young children, these rigid schedules—combined with a crumbling childcare infrastructure—often make it logistically impossible to maintain a job.
A Disproportionate Impact on Women of Color
The economic strain is not being felt equally. The NWLC reports that unemployment rates are rising most sharply for Black and Latina women:
| Demographic | Nov '25 Unemployment | Dec '25 Unemployment |
| Black Women | 7.1% | 7.3% |
| Latinas | 4.4% | 4.5% |
| White Workers | - | 3.8% |
| Overall National Rate | - | 4.4% |
Policy Headwinds: Childcare Under Fire
Beyond corporate shifts, the political landscape is adding to the pressure. Recent executive actions and policy changes have created a "perfect storm" for working mothers:
Federal RTO Mandates: Return-to-office requirements for federal employees have stripped flexibility from hundreds of thousands of workers.
Agency Layoffs: Budget cuts and layoffs have targeted agencies where women and people of color are overrepresented.
Childcare Funding Threats: The administration has signaled a desire to cut funding for Head Start and has attempted to freeze $10 billion in childcare subsidies and social services.
What’s Next?
As we move into 2026, the future of the female workforce hangs in the balance. Without reliable childcare and flexible work options, the U.S. risks losing the economic contributions of millions of women.
The question remains: Will 2026 be a year of course correction, or will the "Great Regression" continue to push women back into the home?