Dictionary definition of “maternal profiling”

maternal profiling

n. employment discrimination against a woman who has, or will have, children. Subjects: English, Employment, Relationships

Editorial Note: This term is being popularized by, and was perhaps coined by, members of MomsRising, a activist group promoting the rights of mothers in the workplace. A woman who is subject to maternal profiling is also often said to have bumped against the maternal wall.

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Citations: 2006 Cooper Monroe Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) (Sept. 17) “Forum: Maternal Profiling”: The more I thought about the film, the more worked up I got. How, in this day and age, could the people of Pennsylvania tolerate “maternal profiling?"…"I asked other single moms, “How do you get jobs?’ and they would all say, “Oh, I lie and say I don’t have kids. That’s how it works around here’” Kiki said.…In New York, as in several other states, it is illegal to ask questions about marriage and family in a job interview, so Kiki had never faced those questions before, and she never had trouble finding work in New York. 2006 Sheila Gibbons Women’s eNews (Dec. 6) “‘Maternal Profiling’ Story Has Faint Heartbeat”: Only 22 states and Puerto Rico specifically prohibit employers from inquiring about applicants’ marital status. That means “maternal profiling” is a real problem for many women. 2007 Kara Jesella New York Times (Feb. 22) “Mom’s Mad. And She’s Organized”: At many house parties, the issue that has generated the most discussion is something that activists call “maternal profiling.” That is using information about a woman’s status as a parent to make managerial decisions, like whether to hire her and how much to pay her.

Posted 2 Apr 07 | Permalink | Tell a Friend