“Someone’s head resting on my knee, warm and tender as he could be,
Who’ll take good care of me, Oh wouldn’t it be luvverly?”
…I know that is what she dreams of, and at some level, will come to expect. Not encouraged by me I might add but not particularly unusual either. I think most of us dreamt of it in our youth, some achieved it for a while, others still have it. But as we’ve seen by our own experiences or those around us, the rug can be pulled out from under our feet so quickly and unexpectedly, it’s dangerous ever to take it for granted.
We have to prepare our girls to take care of themselves. I spend time pondering and observing what career paths are the most conducive to combine mothering and re-entering the workforce to contribute as secondary or, in many situations, primary breadwinner of the family.
I’ve come up with the following criteria:
1. Professional qualification: eg: teacher, nurse, physio, accountant, doctor. These professions are always in demand and no matter what, chances are you will be able to go out and earn money.
2. Flexible arrangements possible: In the professions listed above, you can generally elect to work less than a 40 hour week and still hold down a worthwhile job and receive commensurate reward. This seems to be harder to achieve in the fields of marketing, communications, advertising, PR, investment banking.
3. Skills remain relevant: obviously things move on to some degree, but in the end the human body is essentially the same this decade or next so your physio degree will remain marketable, after a quick brush up on new techniques.
4. Pay is competitive: Ok you’re not necessarily going to be rolling in cash, but any of the above can bring in sufficient income to support you and your children.
We have to ask ourselves why? As women, we should have the freedom to compete effectively and make our way in any career we choose. But as Elizabeth Broderick points out, in Sydney the culture is one of long hours. "The 'ideal' worker is available 24/7, has no visible caring responsibilities and by extension is usually male," she says. Structural change is necessary at the core.
Lots more to be said on this subject. What are your thoughts?
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