Motherhood is a broad term meaning the ability of a woman to combine the duty of raising a child and still chase her career. Under this general term, there are two different classes of working mothers: the woman who operates from home and the woman working away from home but still manages to accomplish her maternal responsibilities. Daily life necessities and material desires oblige both parents to work, meaning that a qualified woman may insist on working to sustain herself financially and maintain a successful career. However, this is different for a single mother who has to work to manage the family and keep her position as a financially stable head of the family. This paper aims at analyzing how women handle family and work in various countries, considering that every country has distinct policy supports.
Work-family strife by women is indeed a national crisis. In certain nations, the female struggle to balance the weight of parenting and breadwinning, and despite the presence of social policies, these mothers do not get help (Collins, 2019). The United States of all Western developed countries has the lowest stipulation of work-family support policies. They have the most significant wage gap between men and women employed, do not pay federals on parental leave, and sick days are not entitled to a minimum standard.
Thus, the above mentioned issues leave American women wondering if they can expect solutions by depending on the European government. Still, the fact remains that being a working mother in the United States is more challenging than in other countries in the industrialized world. Collins (2019), a sociologist, held interviews with working mothers from middle-class families in the United States, Sweden, Germany, and Italy. He also surveyed how women handle family and work, considering that these countries have different policy supports. By taking readers into these mothers’ homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods, he reveals that the expectations and desires of working mothers largely depend on their surroundings. In Sweden, a country known for progressive gender equality policies, mothers have an easy time raising kids and working since they get support from their employers, partners, and the government. The government does not hinder them from carrying their infants to work.
Former East Germany has a history of authorized employment, and although some mothers reduce their aspirations and working hours, mothers in Sweden do not feel conflicted to work. In Italy and Western Germany, values of maternity are highly rated, therefore causing stigmatization to mothers trying to pursue their careers (Collins, 2019). In the meantime, working American mothers are different for their agony and guilt. According to Collins (2019), American women are suffering, and policies on their own cannot be of help. Giving help to these women will require a more profound comprehension of cultural beliefs based on employment, gender equality, and motherhood. Examining the situation of women in these countries, Collins (2019) emphasizes that despite progressive policies improving the lives of mothers, organizations and lawmakers must be conscious of unforeseen consequences. For example, the notion of women being caregivers is strengthened by the good act of giving an extended maternity leave to women.
In conclusion, working mothers, especially in developed countries, despite childbearing support policies, go through many struggles while balancing working and raising their children. However, countries like Italy and Western Germany only entertain the thought of women not working and being primary caregivers. This notion in these countries is supported by ethology theory which states that it is biologically natural for women to have parenting as their only full-time work. Lastly, encouraging positive cultural attitudes, government policies, and a peaceful concurrence of workplace settlements can help minimize work-family strife by women.
Reference
Collins, C. (2019). Making motherhood work: How women manage careers and caregiving. Princeton University Press.