Striking A Balance: Juggling Motherhood And The Demands Of A Career
Abstract
This article delves into the enigmatic challenge of balancing motherhood and a career, acknowledging the profound responsibilities that come with these distinctive roles. It traces the evolving societal perceptions of mothers, exploring how women are now actively participating in the workforce while still managing familial obligations. The piece sheds light on the daunting challenges faced by working mothers, from the pervasive feelings of guilt and stress to societal expectations, and highlights the cruciality of flexibility in the modern workplace. Embracing the need for efficient time management and prioritization, the article also champions a robust support network and a growth-oriented mindset. Overcoming guilt and prioritizing self-care emerge as crucial components that are explored in depth, culminating in a call to empower mothers in their professional ambitions while tending to their families. This narrative serves as a reminder of the ongoing societal transformation towards inclusivity, cultivating a harmonious fusion that enables women to thrive in both personal and professional realms.
References
2. Pasolli, L. (2015). Working mothers and the child care dilemma: A History of British Columbia’s Social Policy. UBC Press.
3. Grady, G., & McCarthy, A. (2008). Work‐life integration: experiences of mid‐career professional working mothers. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 23(5), 599–622. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683940810884559
4. Young, Z. (2018). Making motherhood, careers and flexibility work. Women’s Work, 159–178. https://doi.org/10.1332/policypress/9781529202021.003.0008
5. Kreiner, G. E., Hollensbe, E. C., & Sheep, M. L. (2009). Balancing borders and bridges: Negotiating the work-home interface via boundary work tactics. Academy of Management Journal, 52(4), 704–730. https://doi.org/10.5465/ amj.2009.43669916
6. Wattis, L., Standing, K., & Yerkes, M. A. (2013). Mothers and work-life balance: exploring the contradictions and complexities involved in work-family negotiation. Community, Work & Family, 16(1), 1–19.
7. Auer , M. 2002 . The relationship between paid work and parenthood – A comparison of structures, concepts and developments in the UK and Austria . Community, Work & Family , 5 ( 2 ) : 203 – 218 . doi: 10.1080/13668800220146373
8. Crompton , R. 2006 . Employment and the family: the reconfiguration of work and family life in contemporary societies , Cambridge and New York , NY : Cambridge University Press .
9. Duncan , S. , Edwards , R. , Reynolds , T. and Alldred , P. 2003 . Motherhood, paid work and partnering: Values and theories . Work, Employment and Society , 17 ( 2 ) : 309 – 330 . doi: 10.1177/0950017003017002005
10. Felstead , A. , Jewson , N. , Phizacklea , A. and Walters , S. 2002 . Opportunities to work at home in the context of work–life balance . Human Resources Management Journal , 12 ( 1 ) : 54 – 76 . doi: 10.1111/j.1748-8583.2002.tb00057.
11. Garey, A. I. (1999). Weaving work and motherhood. Temple University Press.
12. Shockley, K. M., Clark, M. A., Dodd, H., & King, E. B. (2018). Work–family strategies during COVID-19: Examining gender dynamics among dual-earner couples with young children. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(12), 1397–1411.
13. Hochschild, A. R., & Machung, A. (2003). The second shift: Working families and the revolution at home. Penguin.
14. Allen, T. D., & Finkelstein, L. M. (2014). Work–family conflict among members of full-time dual-earner couples: An examination of family life stage, gender, and age. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 19(3), 376–384.
15. Kossek, E. E., Lautsch, B. A., & Eaton, S. C. (2006). Telecommuting, control, and boundary management: Correlates of policy use and practice, job control, and work–family effectiveness. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 68(2), 347–367.
16. Byron, K. (2005). A meta-analytic review of work–family conflict and its antecedents. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 67(2), 169–198.
17. Williams, J. C., & Dempsey, R. (2014). What works for women at work: Four patterns working women need to know. NYU Press.
18. Greenhaus, J. H., & Powell, G. N. (2006). When work and family are allies: A theory of work-family enrichment. Academy of Management Review, 31(1), 72–92.
