There is When We Hated Mom in The New York Times:
ONE of the most enduring myths about feminism is that 50 years ago women who stayed home full time with their children enjoyed higher social status and more satisfying lives than they do today.
And Motherhood and Feminism in Ms Magazine:
I did not expect that being a mother would make me more of a feminist. In fact, I feared quite the opposite, worrying that my feminist convictions would wane under the weight of overfilled diaper bags and the expansive responsibilities of caring for an infant.
And then also, Mothers must be able to balance caring with careers in The Sydney Morning Herald:
Despite steps including paid parental leave and changes to the Fair Work Act allowing workers to request flexible hours, the reality is tough.
This is the water-cooler issue for mothers of my generation, one we discuss with frustrating repetition. We are beyond babies and long day care and are grappling with children at primary school. Too many mothers I know cannot find challenging part-time roles. For parents, usually mothers, who are handling school drop-offs and pick-ups, after-school activities and homework, it is an almighty struggle.
I’m with the women in the SMH article. I’m not a mother, but I also don’t want to work my whole life, 9-5 (or more, unpaid overtime to not be seen as a slacker). I want flexible work hours so I can do things like go to the dentist. I want a decent part time job that I can still afford my mortgage on. I took my current position because they promised to be flexible and I’m finding it anything but. I can have time off, if I work extra hard to ‘make up’ for it, and I STILL get the side-eye for leaving an hour early. So frustrating! Imagining how much more frustrating it would be if there was a child involved is making my head ache.