close
test_template

Employers: Bridging The Gap Between Motherhood and Career

Human-Written
download print

About this sample

About this sample

close
Human-Written

Words: 964 |

Pages: 2|

5 min read

Updated: 16 November, 2024

Words: 964|Pages: 2|5 min read

Updated: 16 November, 2024

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Employers: Bridging The Gap Between Motherhood and Career
  3. The Socio-Economic Necessity
  4. Bridging the Gap
  5. Recognizing the Unique Challenges
  6. Reducing Workplace Hostility Towards Motherhood
  7. What Can Employers Do?
  8. Conclusion
  9. References

Introduction

Childcare remains the foremost obstacle which women face in the advancement of their careers. Even in the age of progressivism, women's empowerment, and feminist ideals, women still perform the majority of childcare responsibilities.

Employers: Bridging The Gap Between Motherhood and Career

The lack of affordable, dependable, safe, and trusting childcare options affects families across the world. Employment opportunities for women with children and family-oriented workplace environments will be the catalyst for shifting the mindset which looks negatively upon working mothers. Even as the author of this piece, I research and write on the issue of working mothers fighting for value in the workplace with a sleeping infant on a bed behind me, hoping he sleeps long enough for me to complete my assignment. Unable to work outside of the home due to the long rigid hours worked by my partner and the excessive costs of quality childcare, I must balance my home, my children, and my desire for a rewarding career.

My story is not unique. Women across the world are burdened by the antiquated notion that they bear the responsibility for child-rearing. Should a woman want to start a career, she’s responsible for seeking out and securing childcare options and missing work for her child’s illness or activities. This concept often forces mothers to choose their children over their personal growth and careers. Conversely, we also see women choosing to delay or not have children altogether because they strive for a particular career which would be negatively impacted by having children. Having a fulfilling career not only reduces stress on mothers but also provides financial independence for women (Poduval & Poduval, 2009).

The Socio-Economic Necessity

Mothers work for intellectual fulfillment, but they also work out of necessity. In today’s socio-economic climate, it is more likely that both parents must continue to work outside of the home after having children. Women’s need and desire to continue working after becoming mothers create a population within society that has unique and specific needs. Working mothers, especially minorities, face challenges in their careers disproportionately when compared to working fathers. The circumstances faced by women call for changes in the mindset of employers and the workplace environment in order to help shift the bias against working mothers in a more favorable direction. The male-centric view of working parents forces women to either set aside their careers, stop attending school, or simply give up the idea of a career at all.

Bridging the Gap

While society slowly shifts the family to balance equally on both partners, there needs to be a bridge that closes the gap for women. Employers can implement systems which allow women to strive for more. A positive, mother-friendly workplace environment enables women to care for their children and also have a career because they want to and because someone has provided options for them to do so. Childcare initiatives and changes in the workplace environment shift the balance for women. We can’t wait for society to change its view of working mothers without implementing practices to help women go to work now. An employer providing creative workplace options allows women to pursue work outside the home (out of a necessity or simply out of desire) and forces the continuing evolution of society toward an equal balance in childcare responsibilities.

Recognizing the Unique Challenges

The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes the unique circumstances that women are under in our society and that the working lives of women are affected more significantly and more frequently than those of men (U.S. Department of Labor, 1993). It is no longer okay to define women by motherhood alone. Women deserve the fulfillment and financial independence that a career provides without the obstacles that result from having children. Such obstacles consist of the guilt of working and the emotional labor required to maintain a home and schedule for children. Working mothers tend to balance the majority of tasks at home all while trying to perform at their best within their careers. Employers can support working mothers and reduce the stressors associated with balancing family and work.

Reducing Workplace Hostility Towards Motherhood

Women who become mothers are unfairly viewed as underproductive in the workplace (Poduval & Poduval, 2009). Working mothers, forced to balance work and children, require more time away from work in order to care for and raise their children. Contrast this view against the way working fathers are perceived in the workplace and there is a clear bias against working mothers over working fathers. Career choices and career advancements for women are affected by considerations of childcare and child-rearing more often than those career choices are for men who are fathers. Employers can alleviate these factors and the disadvantages that mothers face by recognizing that not only is the view of mothers as underproductive an unfair one, but the employer also has a responsibility to provide options for parents in order to balance both the home and their careers.

What Can Employers Do?

Employers can take several actions to support working mothers: provide family leave without fear of consequences for the mother, offer flexibility in the work environment (such as part-time work or remote working options), ensure workplace gender diversity, and maintain hiring and promotional practices that are balanced and fair, not biased against motherhood. Additionally, they can provide on-site childcare facilities and recognize the varying needs of mothers, offering support accordingly for single parents versus two-parent households.

Conclusion

Parenting and child-rearing remain a responsibility primarily held by mothers. Employers need to recognize this bias against motherhood. Employers who make these changes and provide support for working mothers will see a shift in productivity as well as a shift in the view of working mothers. Motherhood does not serve as a cause of under-productivity when the necessary support systems for mothers are in place. Employers must acknowledge this and provide support in order to bridge the gap while society continues to shift the balance of child-rearing to both parents.

References

Poduval, J., & Poduval, M. (2009). Working Mothers: How Much Working, How Much Mothers, And Where Is The Womanhood? Mens Sana Monographs, 7(1), 63–79.

Get a custom paper now from our expert writers.

U.S. Department of Labor. (1993). Report on the American Workforce. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

Image of Dr. Oliver Johnson
This essay was reviewed by
Dr. Oliver Johnson

Cite this Essay

Employers: Bridging the Gap Between Motherhood and Career. (2018, December 04). GradesFixer. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/employers-bridging-the-gap-between-motherhood-and-career/
“Employers: Bridging the Gap Between Motherhood and Career.” GradesFixer, 04 Dec. 2018, gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/employers-bridging-the-gap-between-motherhood-and-career/
Employers: Bridging the Gap Between Motherhood and Career. [online]. Available at: <https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/employers-bridging-the-gap-between-motherhood-and-career/> [Accessed 19 Nov. 2024].
Employers: Bridging the Gap Between Motherhood and Career [Internet]. GradesFixer. 2018 Dec 04 [cited 2024 Nov 19]. Available from: https://gradesfixer.com/free-essay-examples/employers-bridging-the-gap-between-motherhood-and-career/
copy
Keep in mind: This sample was shared by another student.
  • 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
  • Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Write my essay

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

close

Where do you want us to send this sample?

    By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

    close

    Be careful. This essay is not unique

    This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

    Download this Sample

    Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

    close

    Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

    close

    Thanks!

    Please check your inbox.

    We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

    clock-banner-side

    Get Your
    Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

    exit-popup-close
    We can help you get a better grade and deliver your task on time!
    • Instructions Followed To The Letter
    • Deadlines Met At Every Stage
    • Unique And Plagiarism Free
    Order your paper now