Someone once said a happy mother is always a good mother. And if the work of the mother makes her sing with happiness, then the entire family sings along. This statement is so apt and relevant for the Indian working mothers of 21st century. The first 17 years of the new millennium has seen some of the most unexpected yet positive changes with respect to women where they are changing the norms of the trade and trudging their own path. From the small town mothers starting their own businesses and educating their children to the corporate power women who are making as much money as the men there, it’s the best time for working mothers. Where we are also reading about how the work stress and demands are making the women restless and unhappy, there are also cases where stay-at-home moms are feeling helpless and depressed because of the financial dependencies and burdens they are facing. In such a paradoxical situation, happiness has always been one of the basic objectives. While it has always been subjective and in accordance with the situations, some advantages of the working women are definitely proving to be major points in that pursuit of happiness.
Why are working mothers happy ?
Working mothers have one of the biggest reason to be happy about themselves – their multitasking skills. Its not at all easy to juggle between home and office, take care of the family and manage time so as to give equal priority to everything. Yet they are doing it finely which makes them confident and happy. They are also financially independent which gives them reasons to spend on themselves and save for their future which reduces their worry. They also bring in a lot of experience and wisdom from the external world to the lives of their children which makes their children respect them. The confidence and courage mothers get by facing the challenges of workplace also provides a sense of achievement which is another major factor resulting in happiness.
Why are working women unhappy ?
Just as it is mentally stimulating and empowering to work, for some mothers it is extremely difficult to handle the pressures and challenges which come with work. There are women who get stressed and experience major depression because of work pressures. In some traditional Indian homes, some women are hugely criticized only because they have left their traditional duties at home to “enjoy” at work. They also fear about who will take care of their kids in their absence. In such cases, it is enormously difficult for women to keep on fighting for their right to work and eventually they have to give up which again makes them unhappy.
Why are stay-at-home moms happy ?
Any mother can tell that to be with her kids all the time is the greatest happiness they can feel. So being with the kids through all their ups and downs and their growing up years constitutes a major happiness for stay-at-home moms. Along with it, they also feel empowered to take care of the family, cater to their small needs and be in control which also brings happiness. They also have a lot of time for themselves which they can spend developing any artistic skill or a hobby. They don’t have to worry about finances and they don’t have stress due to official deadlines. They generally live a content and simple life entirely thinking of their family and its needs.
Why are stay-at-home moms unhappy?
Not all the stay-at-home moms live in a bliss of course. Some of them with ambition and passion for work get easily bored and think of themselves as useless good for nothing women. They get frustrated thinking that they are wasting their time and life doing nothing. The overall loss of interest in life transcends to their parenting style and eventually, what the kids get is an angry unhappy mother.
Looking at the above four conditions, it is pretty clear that happiness is a matter of relevance and situation. Yet, considering today’s conditions and if one is basing the measure of happiness with respect to personal growth, improvement and an enriching and satisfactory life, then definitely, working mothers have a higher edge.
