Navigating the homework landscape with kids can be quite the emotional experience—there are moments of joy when they grasp a concept and instances of frustration when confusion reigns. Recently, one mother, Sarah Evans, was taken aback by her six-year-old daughter’s language arts assignment. It wasn’t the complexity of the task that shocked her, but rather the outdated and blatantly sexist content.
Sarah shared the assignment on social media. Titled “Back to Work,” the worksheet tells the story of a young girl named Emily, who is distressed by the idea of her mother returning to work. The narrative focuses on Emily’s unhappiness about her mom’s job and her relief when her mother leaves work early to be with her after school. The worksheet also features a dad who struggles to make breakfast, reinforcing negative stereotypes about working mothers and incompetent fathers.
Naturally, Sarah was frustrated. “Every line just struck a chord with me, and it kept getting worse!” she expressed in an interview. “What year is this? Are we really perpetuating the idea that moms working outside the home brings unhappiness to families? That dads can’t be responsible for household tasks?”
As a children’s book editor, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands by rewriting the worksheet to better reflect modern family dynamics. In her updated version, Mom returns from a year of maternity leave, while Dad takes paternity leave to care for Emily’s younger sibling. The morning routine goes smoothly, showcasing Dad as capable and responsible. Emily enjoys her day at a well-resourced public school, complete with after-school programs that include art and robotics. Instead of fretting over her mom’s job, she dreams about becoming a teacher or an engineer.
Sarah’s revised worksheet quickly gained traction online, garnering over a thousand reactions on social media. The most rewarding outcome came when she shared her concerns with her daughter’s teacher. The teacher, who had been absent during the distribution of the worksheet, admitted she hadn’t thoroughly checked the old workbook. She expressed her agreement with Sarah and promised to review materials more closely in the future.
Sarah emphasized that the issue extends beyond the teacher’s oversight—it’s a reflection of a flawed educational system. “There’s insufficient support for working mothers: inadequate maternity and paternity leave, a lack of affordable childcare, and pervasive societal messages—even in our children’s homework—that suggest mothers should be home managing the household,” she explained. “I deeply respect the working moms of previous generations who faced similar challenges. I’m thankful for their struggles that paved the way for us.”
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In summary, Sarah Evans’ response to her daughter’s outdated homework highlights the need for educational materials that reflect the realities of modern parenting. By taking action, she not only addressed an immediate concern but also advocated for a broader change in how families are portrayed in educational content.