Working parents

I read a fascinating article recently. Written by Rosjke Hasseldine, psychotherapist and campaigner for women’s emotional and mental well-being, it tells of the different views on women and men as working parents.

I don't know whether you caught it, but the BBC broadcast a programme called The Trouble With Working Women. Rosjke (pronounced 'Roshca') challenged the title, which assumes the woman is still the one with the main child-care responsibilities. It also suggests the working mother is a problem, when in fact it would be good for society to recognise and expect that women and men can and do have equal roles in bringing up children.

Rosjke recalled watching another programme where Major Tim Peake was being interviewed after being selected as an astronaut. During the conversation his 4 month old child was mentioned but nothing was asked about who would take care of the baby during his period of extensive training. As Rosjke pointed out, had it been a woman astronaut in the same situation, the child-care issue would have been a key topic of conversation.

Apparently, despite the advances that have been made, a woman can still expect to earn on average £369,000 less than a man over a lifetime. That really is some difference!

You can read more about Rosjke and the fascinating work she does here.

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