They want to resolve that discrepancy between what we say we value and what actually gets our economic resources and the attention of politicians. Many believe time-use studies will make motherwork more visible. Motherwork becomes visible when we look at how people spend their 24 hours. Mothers Are Women is one group that fought to get a few questions in the 1996 Canadian Census measuring unpaid child care, housework and dependant care. New Zealand, Australia and Europe are embarking on extensive time use studies which should allow some realignment of what is viewed as important in their economies.
Early reports suggest that household production is by far the biggest sector in the economy.
Which puts into question why huge allowances are given to growth industries such as oil, but not to the household sector. Child-centered communities, where neighbourhoods are geared to children and people at least as much as to cars, where community centers provide early childhood development assistance, affordable licensed child care, youth activities. In family law at least, unpaid contribution to the care of children has been recognized, albeit undervalued. In most other policy areas, including the tax system and government benefit programs, motherwork remains unrecognized. The few programs which are aimed at mothers are tied to salaried work.