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One thing I love about The First Word is that it gives us space to zoom out — to name the patterns behind the headlines and connect the dots that too often go ignored. And right now, the dots are painting a pretty damning picture.

There’s a coordinated backlash happening in this country — against motherhood, caregiving, and anyone bold enough to demand equality.

And no, it’s not in your head.

 
 
Motherhood, Power, and the Backlash We’re Living Through

Let’s start with what’s happening in Congress: the proposed budget resolution could gut tax credits that help parents afford child care. These tax credits aren’t handouts — they’re lifelines, especially when families across the country are depleting their savings due to exorbitant child care costs. The fact that these tax credits are still on the chopping block tells you exactly whose labor (and whose kids) this system is built to value.

In workplaces, it’s the same story. Return-to-office mandates are sweeping through both corporate America and federal agencies, forcing moms, even in workplaces once known for being family-friendly, to choose between keeping their jobs or being present for their kids.

Meanwhile, when some lawmakers dared to suggest that new parents in Congress should be able to have proxy voting for a few weeks postpartum, the reaction was a full-blown meltdown. These weren’t just political disagreements. They were tantrums that led to the House rejecting the bipartisan effort to allow proxy voting for new parents. 

This isn’t apathy. It’s animosity.

Caregivers are being pushed out and it isn’t subtle anymore. What we’re seeing is a pattern — a cultural and political retreat from everything moms and caregivers have fought to build.

And one of the clearest targets? DEI. The very word “equity” has become a slur in the mouths of those in power. Diversity programs are being dismantled and inclusive hiring initiatives are being gutted. Just the other day, a zoo in Illinois had its funding slashed because of a behavioral diversity program…among its animals. (Yes, seriously.) It seems like just using the word “diversity” is enough to become a target.

It’s ridiculous. But also deeply strategic. Because when institutions are losing control, they start clawing back power from the people who’ve claimed a seat at the table.

But here’s the thing: this isn’t just a backlash against women, or feminism, or motherhood. It’s also a response to something deeper — something harder to talk about. A growing disillusionment among men.

Men, especially fathers, are struggling. Studies show record levels of loneliness, identity loss, and mental health strain among men in America. Many feel pressure to perform in rigid provider roles that don’t allow room for vulnerability, caregiving, or emotional presence. They’re trying to show up for their families in new ways, but our systems still reward outdated models of masculinity that treat caregiving as a weakness and having a career as the only measure of worth.

And when institutions or political movements stoke fear among men — particularly, the fear of being left behind — it becomes a tool for backlash. It’s easier to point fingers at progress than it is to reckon with broken systems that don’t serve any of us well.

We don’t talk about this enough: care is not just a women’s issue. It’s a family issue. A human one. And dads, just like moms, deserve the right to raise their kids in a country that respects their caregiving, supports their mental health, and values their role beyond a paycheck.

The system in our country wasn’t built to support caregivers. And it still doesn’t know what to do when parents show up and expect more. At the root of all of this recent backlash we’re seeing is fear. It’s a reaction to progress.

So when you see these headlines pile up — lawmakers scoffing at parental needs, agencies slashing DEI programs, companies issuing rigid mandates — don’t feel discouraged. Feel fired up. Because it’s all proof that our voices are working. That we’re being heard. That we’re a threat to the status quo.

If motherhood wasn’t so powerful, they wouldn’t be pushing back this hard. Their fear is proof of our power — and we have the power to drive change.

 
Congress is in recess through next week. That means your representatives are back in their districts, and they’re supposed to be listening to their constituents.

  • We’ve built a toolkit to help you make sure they can’t hide from you. Check it out and find a way to get in touch with your members of Congress in the days ahead. Then be sure to write back to this email to let us know how it goes.
  • Can’t make a town hall? Donate to our movement. Every donation enables us to keep the momentum going.

 
Money, Motherhood, and Reclaiming Yourself

You know that moment: it’s late at night, the house is finally quiet, and you’re online shopping, adding things to your cart that you don’t really need. It’s not about the stuff you’re purchasing though. It’s about you — reclaiming a tiny piece of yourself that existed before the endless to-do lists, diaper changes, and soccer practices.

Meghan Dwyer gets that. She’s a financial planner, podcast host, and founder of Money Isn’t Scary, a platform helping women unpack the emotional side of money and become more self-aware about the shame and silence that so often surround our financial lives.

A mom of two, Meghan is on a mission to empower women to feel confident, informed, and in control of their financial lives, without shame or guilt. Through honest conversations on her podcast and real-life insights, she’s breaking generational patterns and showing that talking about money doesn’t have to feel intimidating. Her work is a powerful reminder that financial wellness is a form of self-care and every mom deserves access to it.

Are you a mom on a mission to change the future of motherhood? Let us know what you’re up to — email firstword@momsfirst.us. 

 
Check out what people are saying about Moms First in the news:

Thanks for spending a few minutes with The First Word. If this hit home for you, share it with someone who’s in the fight or someone who needs to be. The challenges are real, but so is our momentum. And the more we name what’s happening, the harder we are to ignore.

 
Keep your head up,
Reshma Saujani