5 Shows That Wouldn’t Be The Same If They Showed The Reality Of Pregnancy Discrimination

It’s 2014 and women in the workforce are making huge gains, contributing more to their families’ incomes, and reaching positions of authority. So are women getting the support they need to have families? Not from their bosses they aren’t. While too many women are denied the accommodations they deserve, we often don’t see these kinds of challenges in pop culture. This made us wonder - how would these shows have changed if these characters had been forced to choose between getting a paycheck and their pregnancy?

1. Sookie St. James (Gilmore Girls)

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When Sookie and Jackson start their brood, her best friend and business partner, the fabulous Lorelai Gilmore, is incredibly understanding and encourages Sookie to take bed rest and time she needs to have a healthy pregnancy. She knows that Sookie is committed to her career as a chef at the Dragonfly Inn, but what would have happened if Lorelai had said “Sorry, we’ll find another head chef?” Stars Hollow – and the Dragonfly – would have never been the same without Sookie’s culinary vision, not to mention Sookie would suddenly have had to find a new job to help support their family.

2. Marge Gunderson (Fargo)

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Marge’s pregnancy may have left her a little slower-moving than usual, but that didn’t stop her from solving a major kidnapping, theft, and murder case. If she had been kicked out of the force, Jerry would have gotten away with his plan that ended with his wife and father-in-law murdered - thank goodness Marge was on the case.

3. Miranda Hobbes (Sex and the City)

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When Miranda got pregnant, she was lucky enough to be in a position and a job where she could take maternity leave and work while pregnant. If her boss hadn't been so understanding, she wouldn't have been able to afford diapers for her son Brady or keep her apartment. The only way should could have remained in New York City and part of the group is if Carrie had made some room for her in her closet - imagine Sunday brunch without Miranda!

4. Pam Beesly (The Office)

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Pam was able to have the maternity coverage she needed to help support her family, but what would have happened if Michael Scott had decided not to give her the small accommodations she needed while pregnant? Dunder Mifflin would have been a very unorganized workplace without Pam as receptionist.

5. Lane Kim (Gilmore Girls)

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When Lane became pregnant, she was lucky enough to have a really understanding boss who accommodated her needs for bed rest and even let her husband fill in. But what if Luke had just fired Lane and hired someone different? He would have left a new family without a steady income, and Luke would have lost one of Stars Hollow's best waitresses.

While these characters were lucky enough to have understanding bosses and receive the accommodations they needed, many women are forced out of work during pregnancy. Women are the breadwinners in 41% of families with children.

When women are able to keep working and continue supporting their families it benefits the economy. The Supreme Court is considering a case right now that will have a monumental impact on the future of pregnancy discrimination and the economic women and their families. The question is: will they side with women, or corporations?