Today is mother’s day! A day that has been dedicated, for over a
century, to celebrating mothers across the globe, and the things they do for us
every day. I thought we could use this opportunity
to discuss an issue that I think is becoming more and more relevant in society
– the idea of a working mum.
It’s 2015. This year promises to bring with it so much - new
technology, innovation, and advancement in every sphere of human endeavor. I’m
frankly annoyed to see that even in this new world of progressive ideas and acceptance,
we still hold on to old fashioned ideas handed down by generations of
oppressive patriarchy. The one that annoy me the most is the idea that women
with children, especially young children, should NOT work.
Motherhood, like everything else in life, is subjective. It
varies from family to family, and person to person. It depends on a host of
different aspects – ambitions, values, hopes, up-bringing, ideologies and
various other socio-economic conditions. And just like the decision to have a
child is the mother’s choice, it is the mother’s choice how she will care for
her child afterward.
In the days of yore, women had only two purposes in life -
maintaining the household and taking care of the children. Because societal
norms prevented women from doing literally anything else, they got used to the
idea that their only reason for existence was to nurture the young. And while
taking care of children is indeed a noble pursuit, I know I’m not alone when I
say that women are capable of so much more.
Medically speaking (not that I’m qualified or anything but you
know, Google), it is a fact that new born infants require the constant
attention and care of by their mothers. It is for this reason that most organizations,
around the world, offer a paid maternity leave for women who have just given
birth. It typically lasts around 3 to 6 months during which time the baby will
grow and naturally become less dependent on its mother. At this point many of
you must be thinking, “But wait! It’s still a baby right?!?! What’s it going to
do?! It can’t take care of itself!!! OMG this is why mothers can’t work!!!”
Calm down. I’m getting there.
Like I said in the beginning, it is 2015 people! As far back as
the 19th century, women delegated their care giving duties to
someone else and went out to shop or mingle or whatever (because remember women
could do literally nothing else). Today I’m glad to say that women today hold
some very important positions in almost every profession in the world. A woman
can be whoever she wants – a doctor, lawyer, teacher, psychologist, wedding
planner, artist - there isn't anything a woman can’t do. And no matter what
path she chooses, she can still be a GREAT mom.
If you’re not too keen on the whole nanny idea, then work from
home! With the internet and modern communication facilities, there is no reason
why you can’t advance your career and take care of your child from the comfort
of your own home. My mom works as an editor and she loves her
job. She has a career and still has time to take care of me. I think I turned
out pretty ok! So you see? It works!
Like it or not, the concept of “the working mother” is growing
and spreading across the globe. Women have hopes, dreams and ambitions – just
as much as any man. We have the right to do whatever we want to do with our
lives- whether it’s staying home with the kids, pursuing a career with a nanny
at home, or simply learning to strike a balance. So spend a little time this
mother’s day to think of your mother, along with millions of other mothers
through the centuries who have sacrificed their own dreams and dedicated their
lives to our upbringing. I think we owe it to them, and to all the future
mothers, and even to ourselves, to end this prejudice so that we can live in a
world where mothers can live out their ambitions and fulfill all of their
dreams. They, more than anyone on earth, deserve it.
Until next time,
Bianka
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