Childcare remains the primary obstacle women face in advancing their careers. Even in the age of progressivism, women's empowerment, and feminist ideals, women continue to carry out the majority of childcare responsibilities. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay The lack of affordable, reliable, safe, and reliable child care options affects families around the world. Employment opportunities for women with children and family-oriented work environments will be the catalyst to change the mindset that views working mothers negatively. Even as the author of this piece, I research and write on the issue of working mothers struggling for value in the workplace with a baby asleep on a bed behind me, hoping he sleeps long enough for me to complete my task. Unable to work outside the home due to my partner's long, inflexible schedule and the excessive costs of quality child care, I must balance my home, my children, and my desire for a rewarding career. My story is not unique. Women around the world are burdened by the antiquated concept that they are the ones responsible for raising children. If a woman wants to start a career, she is responsible for researching and securing child care options and missing work due to her child's illness or activities. This concept often forces mothers to choose their children over their personal and professional growth. Conversely, we also see women choosing to delay or not have children at all because they strive for a particular career that would be negatively affected by having children. Having a satisfying career not only reduces stress for mothers but also provides financial independence for women (Poduval & Poduval, 2009). Mothers work for intellectual fulfillment, but they also work out of necessity. In today's socioeconomic climate, both parents are more likely to need to continue working outside the home after having children. Women's need and desire to continue working after becoming mothers creates a population within society that has unique and specific needs. Working mothers, particularly minorities, face challenges in their careers disproportionately compared to working fathers. The circumstances faced by women require changes in the mindset of employers and the work environment to help shift the prejudice against working mothers in a more favorable direction. The chauvinist view of working parents forces women to put their careers aside, stop attending school, or simply give up on the idea of a career altogether. As society is slowly shifting the family towards an equal balance between both partners, there needs to be a bridge that bridges the gap for women. Closing the gap Employers can implement systems that empower women to aspire to achieve more. A positive, mother-friendly work environment allows women to care for their children and even have a career because they want to and because someone has provided them with the opportunity to do so. Childcare initiatives and changes in the work environment shift the balance for women. We look forward to society changing its view of working mothers without implementing practices to help women go to work.
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