Working and Caring

Abstract

The need to revisit the challenges surrounding managing work and home has been highlighted (Lewis and Lewis, 1996). As we have already seen, in most parts of the Western world, care for chronically ill children remains mostly the responsibility of mothers (Martin and Nisa, 1996: 3; Burke et al, 1999). Despite the fact that the statistical norm is now for women to work outside the home, cultural beliefs continue to preserve the unequal division of labour in parental care. Add to this the fact that, over the last two decades, the average worker has added an extra 164 hours — a month of work — to his or her work year and we find both men and, particularly, women overburdened. Workers also now take fewer unpaid leaves, and even fewer paid ones (Hochschild, 1997: 6). While it is acknowledged that, in many cases, men are increasing their daily involvement with home and family, and employers are introducing family-friendly policies designed to assist workers meet conflicting work and home responsibilities, the reports shared here indicated that: (a) these women had a great deal of difficulty combining work and home; and, (b) that the workplace ‘flexibility’ and support that is so often paraded, may not have been as reliable and dependable as hoped.

My Husband Ran Over My Son

My husband ran over my son.

Ten months old, a paraplegic

My husband, guilty, couldn’t handle my son’s disability

We separated.

Pregnant.

My daughter was born, I entered the workforce

No choice, both children

Couldn’t handle a full-time job.

Part-time jobs allowed me to come and go

Started a part-time job, a second part-time job

Then, three part-time jobs; 45 to 60 hours a week

We needed the extra money.

I understand —

My husband ran over my son.

(Cate, Interview 1: 1–2, 11)