During a recent visit to my home, I met one of my school friends, after a gap of almost 10 years. After the initial surprises, hugs and happiness, we started with a recap of the past years when we were not in touch. She happens to be married, has a baby of 2 years and is working in Pune. Though she is happy in her own world, one factor that disappoints her is her baby being left in day-care during the weekdays.
This was not the first time I was hearing the story of working moms. Its been a plight for many mothers, and is often accompanied by a feeling of remorse for not being able to spend quality time with their child. I see two main reasons for this -
The "aaj ki naari" is more career-oriented and has an identity of her own. Having been accustomed to the luxury of a professional world, she does not want to sacrifice it and get into a monotonous life of full-time mom at home.
For some women, working is a necessity for financial stability. The rising prices clubbed with our unsatiable hunger for a better life makes survival quite difficult even with double income. This leaves her no option other than to continue her job.
I often wonder how our parents managed it so well in their times. How my very educated mother never once thought of building her career so that she could spend all her time providing care and support to her children. Never did my parents feel that single income was so insufficient to help us achieve our career goals. We lived comfortably well within our means. We were contented. That contentment factor is no more there. Now, our definition of a happier and peaceful life no longer matches with that of our parents. We have little time to spend with our families. We are just working very hard to achieve more and more. We are running on treadmill that would never stop. Is this how we should be enjoying life? I hope not!
