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The government, in line with the EU, is continuously harping on the idea of encouraging more women to leave home and take up an office job. When these women attain the top post of a corporation or a similar post, they are described as an example of high-achieving motherhood.
Why is the woman who sprints off to the office leaving the children with her obliging husband and ‘fantastic’ nanny described as more industrious and single minded?
Let’s be honest, her absence means she is relieved of a sizable chunk of the daily hard chores involved in the care of her young children.
Let’s start giving credit to the thousands of ordinary mothers, working in and out of the home who are not devoid of ambition but may simply have different priorities – directing their best energies into the emotional wellbeing of their families.
Sometime ago, if I remember rightly, non-working mothers were promised financial consideration. If money is the problem, the government can consider granting ‘tax credits’.
I have always been of the opinion that children being cared for by parents rather than strangers, is crucial to a child’s future well-being and ultimately, the success of the family.
Another point for consideration is to reward carers, who look after the elderly, more often than not, sons and daughters, who sacrificed careers and sometimes marriage prospects to look after their relatives, a burden which would otherwise fall on the taxpayer.
Elizabeth Messina Ferrante
Attard
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