10/03/2022
The mental load of being a mother is already draining, add to it the stressors of being a working mom, you have a mad house. The inequalities that exist inherently in our societies and families also amplify these effects. If you have ever felt stuck in this rut, while people around you say that IS how motherhood is; that’s a lie. Motherhood is EXPECTED to be this way because of the systemic and cultural barriers that we refuse to let go of.
International Womens Day’s theme this year is . I conducted three talks on exactly how biases we have about gender roles affect our mental health and it went rockingly well. However when I sat down to have my dinner, the bigger problem at home was why my husband was given a smaller plate to eat in. Never mind the fact that everyone else was eating in the same small plate but god forbid my husband was given that. Never mind your achievements or the constant workload and mental load you carry, never mind your ability to rest, but the plate you serve your husband is important! These expectations we have on women and girls in our lives are the very things that add on the the invisible burden they carry every single day in their lives and it amplifies when they build a family of their own.
So what can you do?
1. If you are a parent getting undue preferences due to your gender, speak up!
2. If you are a relative very concerned about who eats in which plate, please do it yourself.
3. Acknowledge that both parents work hard and BOTH need a break
4. Recognise how your actions and words are propagating age old practices of discrimination in the family.
5. This is the easiest, keep your judgemental thoughts to yourself. It doesn’t take much really, just look, breath and walk away.
If you are affected by such practices, stand your ground and be assertive about your space. The discomfort, that comes with standing your ground is normal and expected. Sit with it.
I definitely did NOT switch the plate, I proceeded to eat in my self invented peace bubble.
Happy International Women’s Day (belated)