Getting back to work after childbirth can be a tough call for a woman. However, with valuable support from her husband and family, she can do wonders on both the fronts. Puneites tell DNA.
Clear communication between partners about duties will help
I see no reason why a woman should quit work after marriage or childbirth. Many women have continued working, so it’s not like it cannot be done. However, working mothers definitely need a support system that consists of family members, including the husband.
It is unreasonable to expect a woman to continue a full-time job, take care of the child and be the perfect homemaker. All these activities need immense time and patience. If the woman does all of this, she is bound to reach a point of saturation. Every child has his/her educational, dietary and health requirements, which change as s/he grows. It is important for both parents to tend to these needs.
Usually, women who work as teachers, in government service or are self-employed do not face much of a problem because they can devote adequate time to childcare and housework. Those in IT and MNCs have to work long hours and are likely to have a tough time juggling everything. It is important for working parents to prioritise home and office timings. The child needs them the most during the early years.
Planning is essential if a couple wants to have a child. Some couples work out their financial plans first, but do not decide anything about starting a family or the other way around. The couple must share equal responsibility and divide duties if the grandparents are not there to support them.
There should be clear communication between the husband and wife about what is expected from them. People are generally not willing to change their attitude towards working women; the expectations remain the same. It is essential for the family to be cooperative.
— Niloufer Ebrahim, consultant psychologist & counsellor
A day care centre or help at home are good options
I don’t think women should work after childbirth, at least till the child starts going to school. This is the time you should be home as your child needs you the most. Later, depending on the his/her school timings, you could take up a suitable job nearby. You can even enroll your child in a day care centre. However, it could still pose a problem if the organisation you work with does not understand your need to give time to your child. There could be times when you have to leave early, which the company may not appreciate.
The situation can worsen if the husband is not always available for the child and expects you to be there. I never faced a problem because I live in a joint family. Once I moved to Pune, there was a day care centre in my organisation. However, it may not be as easy for everyone. For example, you have to compromise when your child falls ill and you are working on an important project in office. It becomes difficult as you cannot take an off or leave your child alone. The best way to go about it is to have someone you trust at home take care of the child. People usually expect their parents to take up that responsibility, but that is unreasonable as they may have their own routine and things to do. Also, at that age, they do not have the energy to run behind the children. It is better to keep a full-time maid or enroll the child in a day care centre.
— Preetha Nair, executive assistant
We have to do away with the traditional mindset in society
This is definitely a complicated issue for women. It actually depends on the support they get from their families. After childbirth, they have to come up with an arrangement if they want to continue working. A woman needs to think of all the options and include friends in her support group for her benefit.
Society, especially men, have a very traditional mindset as far as sharing responsibilities is concerned. They still do not accept that it is their duty to look after the children if the mother is at work. A woman is expected to cook, take care of the child and manage the house after she returns from work. It is important for a child to be cared for by both the parents. Mutual understanding and planning between the partners becomes imperative in such a scenario. In the initial years, it is natural for the child to bond with the mother, but the father can play a role then as well.
— Tejaswi Sevekari, director, Saheli
Working provides a psychological boost to women
I agree that women must continue working after childbirth. This helps them gain exposure and develop a wider perspective on things happening in the world. It is also a psychological boost. Moreover, women who work know the kind of difficulties that crop up at the workplace and are hence, in a better position to
understand their husbands.
The husband must share responsibilities equally. I do not know how to cook, so I cannot help my wife in that area. However, I can cut vegetables and take care of the preparation and arrangement. My wife and I did not have a plan on how we would manage when we have a child. But we did decide a few things that would reduce her workload at home. Activities like ironing clothes and dropping our child to school are my duty.
There have been a few times that my wife has had to work late and I took care of our child and household chores, but this is never a problem as my parents help me out.
— Tarun Malviya, IT entrepreneur
Working women help to eradicate the gender difference
Women should definitely work after marriage and childbirth too. In a male-dominated country like ours, it is high time people gave this a thought. Our country would be far more successful if we change our way of thinking.
My wife works and I have never stopped her from doing anything. Back in the 90s, women could not step out alone late in the evening. These days, there are women working round-the-clock.
This is a welcome change, which eradicates the gender difference created by society. If a woman has proved herself as a wife or mother, why can’t she prove herself as a professional?The modern woman has made it to the top in all spheres. I have observed that women are way more sincere and focused than men. Their level of productivity is also comparatively higher. They must definitely be given a chance without any room for
discrimination.
— Amol Jog, MD, Jog Educational Trust
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