WOMEN AND WORK

Graduated women have long struggled with the demands of career and family. The problems have changed with the passing years – more jobs gradually opened up to women in the 20th century – but for most women difficult choices have to be made between careers and families. Before the Second World War, the only career open to women was teaching and paid work was almost impossible after marriage. During the war, men had to fight and women had to replace men in the workplace. However, when the war ended and men returned, women returned into the home. Today, older women who didn’t have many career opportunities do not envy younger women. One woman said: “I am glad my daughter has the opportunity to work that I did not have – but when I see her struggling to run her family and a full-time job, I don’t think her life is better than mine was.”

Many of these older women felt a sense of security in their own lives that has disappeared today. They see younger women working under great stresses. Many experience depression, severe headaches and feelings of insecurity. They feel sad because they spend more time on domestic chores than their husband when both have paid jobs. Many women try to successfully combine career and family, which is not an easy job. More flexible working hours and new legislation are needed in order to help women achieve professional and personal fulfillment.