The Bert Show: Vault – "Why Do Women With Kids Make Less Money Than Their Peers?"
Date: April 8, 2026
Episode Overview
In this engaging and at times heated episode, The Bert Show tackles the persistent and controversial issue of the "motherhood penalty"—the reality that women with children often make less money than their childless peers, and even less than men. The hosts and callers discuss research findings, societal pressures, gender roles, workplace biases, and their own personal fears and doubts regarding parenthood and careers. The show features a mix of statistics, personal stories, and differing viewpoints, sparking authentic debate about work, family, gender, and identity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The "Motherhood Penalty" in Pay and Hiring
- Research reveals mothers face significant workplace discrimination:
- Mothers are 100% less likely to be hired over childless women candidates ([02:13]).
- When hired, mothers receive offers of $11,000 less per year than childless women ([02:29]).
- Consistent perception: mothers are seen as "less competent and less committed" ([02:19]).
2. Caller Alicia’s Controversial View: "Moms Shouldn't Work"
- Alicia calls in to share her strong opinion:
- “I don’t think women that have kids should be working at all. I think it’s disgusting. … It’s disgusting when people have kids and at six weeks old, they put them in daycare for strangers to raise them.” ([02:38], Alicia)
- Champions traditional gender roles: men as providers, women as caregivers.
- Critiques mothers who split focus, claims colleagues cover for working moms on the job.
- Memorable exchange:
- Melissa Carter: "That's hilarious." ([03:02], Melissa Carter)
- Alicia: "Excuse me?" ([03:04], Alicia)
3. Rebuttals from Hosts and Listeners
- Addressing Alicia’s take:
- Tracy, expecting a child herself, shares her struggle with guilt and societal expectations.
- “For me, there have been times where I wonder if I'm less of a mother because I'm choosing not to be at home… I'd be bored if I stayed home all the time.” ([05:04], Tracy)
- Host points out the stark contrast in guilt placed upon mothers vs. fathers: “Is a man going to feel that way? Has a man ever thought to himself, like, am I less of a dad because I have a job?” ([05:50], Host Chris)
- Melissa Carter discusses fear of losing personal identity to motherhood:
- “My fear of being a mother is I lose my identity… I don’t want to have to trade off being Melissa Carter to being so and so’s mother.” ([05:59], Melissa Carter)
4. The Gendered Double Standard
- Hosts highlight that men rarely face the same pressures:
- Men do not typically feel guilty for working nor experience a loss of identity ([06:27], Melissa Carter).
- “Men don't have to lose their identity, lose their job. They can have everything … A woman doesn't have that as easily.”
- Discussion on evolving gender norms:
- Jen observes that attitudes are slowly changing as more women control family planning and career choices ([06:49]-[07:13], Jen).
5. Caller Ty: Dual Income Reality and Household Decisions
- Ty rebuts Alicia, foregrounding economic necessity:
- “For most families with children, both members of the family have to work just to make ends meet… Usually it’s for the kids—you want them to be able to play sports, go to a nicer school, that type of thing.” ([07:47], Ty)
- Stresses that family work decisions often come down to who earns more and who provides insurance, not simply preference or luxury.
- On workplace gender gap: “Generally speaking, men are making more money than women are for the same job.” ([09:33], Ty)
6. Stay-at-Home Dads and Societal Perceptions
- Hosts debate the social stigma and emotional complexity:
- Jen asks the men: “Is that an honorable thing for a guy to do?” if his wife is the main breadwinner and he stays home. ([10:15], Jen)
- Scott: “Honorable. I think it’s honorable. … I would make fun of him, but I would think it’s cool.” ([10:33], Scott)
- Tracy shares her own discomfort: “If Scott didn’t work from home … and he was the stay-at-home father … I don’t think I’d like it. … I think I would feel bummed and upset that she needed him more than she needed me.” ([10:39]-[11:14], Tracy)
- Melissa Carter hopes for genuine co-parenting:
- “I hope for that so that every child can be equally as bonded with their mother and father or whatever home they're a part of. … Then it just being one parent overly there for the child and the other one always gone.” ([11:23]-[12:18], Melissa Carter)
7. Caller Chris: On Judgment & Progress
- Chris calls in (voice disguised) to share his and his partner's struggle with guilt as working parents:
- “We both work. We’re workaholics … and the guilt never goes away … But there’s no question, if you can have a parent or family member in the home to raise the kids versus not, you should. … But, you know, life isn’t fair and we should still try and change.” ([12:41]-[13:52], Chris Caller)
- Notes the danger in attacking others for their opinions—change should come, but empathy is needed, especially given different life experiences.
8. Women Without Kids & The Conversation Around Choice
- Melissa Carter and Jen defend their ability to weigh in:
- Acknowledge their perspective is different but informed by workplace and societal shifts affecting women’s choices ([13:52]-[14:18], Melissa Carter; [14:18], Jen).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Alicia: "I don't think women that have kids should be working at all. I think it's disgusting." ([02:38])
- Melissa Carter: "That's hilarious." ([03:02])
- Tracy: "For me, there have been times where I wonder if I'm less of a mother because I'm choosing not to be at home." ([05:04])
- Ty: "For most families that have children, they're finding it. Both members of the families have to work just to make ends meet." ([07:47])
- Scott: "Honorable. I think it’s honorable... I would make fun of him, but I would think it’s cool." ([10:33])
- Tracy: "If Scott didn’t work from home ... I don't think I'd like it." ([10:39])
- Melissa Carter: "I hope for [co-parenting] so every child can be equally as bonded with their mother and father..." ([11:23])
- Chris (Caller): "If you can have a parent or a family member in the home to raise the kids versus not, you should. You just should. If you can, you should." ([13:52])
- Melissa Carter: "Men don’t have to lose their identity, lose their job. They can have everything ... A woman doesn't have that as easily." ([05:59])
Important Timestamps
- [02:02] – Core topic introduction: The pay gap for mothers vs. childless women.
- [02:38] – Alicia’s call and controversial opinion.
- [05:04] – Tracy shares her internal struggle about being a working mother.
- [05:59] – Melissa Carter discusses identity and motherhood.
- [07:47] – Ty explains the real economics behind dual-income families.
- [10:15] – Discussion on stay-at-home dads and shifting gender norms.
- [11:23] – Co-parenting advocacy and its importance for child-parent bonds.
- [12:41] – Chris (caller) on working parent guilt and the need for empathy.
- [13:52] – Melissa and Jen respond to the critique about their perspectives.
Tone & Style
The episode maintains The Bert Show’s characteristic lively, direct, and humorous tone, with a frank and personal approach to taboo topics. While some discussions are heated and opinions strongly held, the hosts generally strive for inclusivity, empathy, and openness to changing norms.
In Summary
This episode provides an honest, multifaceted conversation about why mothers may earn less, the lingering double standards in parenting and work, and the emotional battles modern women (and men) face. By weaving together research, real stories, and listeners' voices, The Bert Show both challenges and humanizes the ongoing debates about gender, work, and family life.
