Reshma Saujani Says US Motherhood Is 'Impossible by Design'

Reshma Saujani said motherhood in the United States is "impossible by design" during a CNBC podcast episode published Tuesday ^[1].

Saujani, the founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code, said the current systemic structure of the U.S. prevents mothers from succeeding. This perspective highlights a growing tension between professional expectations and the lack of institutional support for parents.

Speaking on the "Changemakers and Power Players" podcast, Saujani discussed the specific barriers that make the experience of motherhood unsustainable. She said the lack of affordable childcare and the absence of comprehensive paid parental leave are primary drivers of this systemic failure ^[1].

Saujani said that these issues are not accidental but are built into the way the country operates. She said the cultural attitudes surrounding the "culture wars" dividing mothers further complicate the ability to secure meaningful policy changes ^[1].

To address these challenges, Saujani called for a shift in how the government approaches family support. She said, "We need a national solution for childcare and paid leave if we want mothers to thrive" ^[1].

Her advocacy focuses on moving beyond individual coping mechanisms toward structural reforms. By framing the issue as a design flaw, Saujani said the solution requires a complete overhaul of the national framework rather than incremental improvements to existing workplace benefits ^[1].