Forget Flowers This Mother's Day: 11 Ways to REALLY Help Mothers | AlterNet

Forget Flowers This Mother's Day: 11 Ways to REALLY Help Mothers  | AlterNet:

The reality is that mothers are not as supported as they should be in this country, and the recent, ongoing war against reproductive rights, unions, and legislation like the Violence Against Women Act have only made things worse.

Below are several ways (among many) that we, as a nation, could do a much better job of supporting mothers.

1. Require paid parental leave.

2. Support workplace flexibility and other leave policies.

3. Address the gender wage gap.

4. Stop trying to roll back access to birth control.

5. Support safe, legal access to abortion.

6. Support unionization.

7. Fight for affordable health care.

8. Reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

9. Address cuts to safety net services.

10. Ensure that mothers behind bars are treated with dignity.

11. Celebrate mothers of all stripes, from all backgrounds.

All mothers deserve love and respect, on Mother's Day and every day.