Our society has made significant progress in promoting gender equality, allowing both men and women to be viewed as equals in all aspects of life. Empowering women to excel in various fields is a top priority, and we are actively working to dismantle patriarchal social norms. Parents are now giving equal importance to the education of their daughters, providing them with opportunities to pursue successful careers, achieve financial independence, and lead fulfilling lives. Women are increasingly entering various professions and contributing to societal transformation. Although we are late in comparison to the other developed countries, we are catching up at a good pace.
The parents of a girl recently celebrated their daughter’s selection for a good job in an MNC just after the completion of her education. She was an engineer and a master of management, both from premium institutions. While congratulating the parents, one of their friends told them that now they must be ready to accept their daughter marrying a person outside the state or country. Even, they must be ready to accept the idea of living together. The parents were taken aback and asked why. The friend explained to them that their daughter is entering into a career that can take her anywhere. Moreover, she will have to devote much time to her work. She may not be able to devote much time to family affairs. She will be meeting various people from all walks of life, and her choices will become wider. The parents were not comfortable hearing all this; it took them some time to come to terms with the potential challenges ahead.
We have been seeing girls and boys deferring marriages. Many even do not want to tie the nuptial knot at all. Even if some want to, they do not want to have children. Many young working parents are struggling to have a work-life balance. Many have to leave their children in the hands of servants. So, the priorities are shifting as we evolve as a society.
In countries such as South Korea, there is a reluctance among women to enter into marriage. This has led to a significant decline in the country's birth rate, which has become a major cause for concern for the government. Currently, South Korea's fertility rate stands at 0.68, well below the accepted norm of 2.10 required to sustain a population. Similarly, China and Japan are grappling with similar challenges, with fertility rates of 1.09 and 1.26, respectively. The aging population in these countries is a direct result of the declining birth rates over the years. To address this issue, various countries have begun offering incentives to encourage childbirth. This trend is not limited to East Asia, as many European and North American countries are facing similar demographic challenges. A common thread among these nations is the fact that many working women struggle to find the time to raise children.
The demand for wheel chairs has increased like anything at the major international airports in India. Parents have to go abroad to take care of their grandchildren, where their daughters or sons do not get time. And when the aging parents are not comfortable with the nitty-gritty of taking a long-distance international flight, a wheel chair is the best solution. It ensures they are taken to the right counter and gate, with all necessary clearances smoothly handled. In reality, it is not just a wheel chair in demand; the demand for parents has risen of late. This is a good development; otherwise, they are normally left behind to lead a boring and struggling life back home.
Now, the crucial point is: who will look after the child at home when both parents are working late? If there are no grandparents or other family members available, the only option is to rely on hired help. However, can we expect the same level of care and attention from hired help as we would from family? Will the child miss out on emotional support? Many young parents fail to realize the impact this can have on their child. The effects of this neglect can be long-lasting. It is a great injustice to the child if they do not receive proper care and attention from their parents during their formative years. It may be harsh, but perhaps it is better for parents to reconsider having a child if their careers are too demanding. In some countries, women are making practical decisions about this issue. Yet, the question remains: how will society progress in such circumstances?
We cannot take a back step. We must continue moving forward, but we must also avoid a situation similar to that of Japan and South Korea. Despite our current fertility rate of 2.10, if we do not take corrective action now, the evolving situation will lead us to a disaster in twenty to thirty years. Women should be encouraged to pursue challenging careers, become entrepreneurs, and follow their chosen path. Additionally, we should support their decision to have children by addressing the obstacles they face. We cannot allow them to fall into a "superwoman" syndrome, attempting to juggle multiple responsibilities and ultimately succumbing to stress and depression.
It is imperative for businesses to actively seek out and hire female employees. Employers should move away from the belief that women in the workforce are a burden. It is essential for the workplace to have a daycare facility with qualified staff so that parents can spend time with their child whenever necessary without compromising their work. These daycare facilities can also accommodate school-going children after school hours. Companies should allocate additional resources to support maternity leave, period leave, long-term sabbatical leave, or any other specific benefits required for female employees. This should be considered part of the business's operational expenses and factored into all stages of manpower planning. The government can also create schemes to reimburse employers for these expenses, either partially or in full, while implementing strict regulations to ensure compliance.The government should introduce a range of incentives, such as providing free education and healthcare benefits for children, in order to alleviate the high costs associated with raising a child.
It is common to see women leaving their jobs to take care of their children, a trend that is less prevalent among men. The traditional gender roles related to cooking and household chores are no longer limited to women.
Therefore, it is imperative for the government, workplaces, and families to work together to tackle these challenges. Failure to do so will result in continued hardships for young working parents and their children, ultimately leading to far-reaching consequences for our society.
(All thoughts and views expressed are the author’s own.)