What a female adult think of this topic?

DO YOU THINK WORKING MOTHERS CAN BALANCE BOTH WORK AND FAMILY?

Not really, they will tend to neglect at one side generally because after work, they will be dog-tired and it will be too late to foster bonds with family members.

THEN DO YOU THINK WORKING MOTHERS SHOULD GIVE UP THIR CAREER IN ORDER TO TAKE CARE OF THE FAMILY?

It depends on the family expense; if the husband can earn enough to support the whole family then it is good. However, it is difficult to do so because the cost of living in Singapore is getting higher.

IF WORKING MOTHERS ARE SO BUSY WITH WORK AND THERE IS A PUBLIC HOLIDAY, DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD SPENT TIME WITH FAMILY OR SHOULD THEY RUSH IN THEIR WORK THAT IS DUE THE NEXT DAY WHICH IS AFTER THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY?

It depends on individual. Preferably, I would not want to bring work back home.

BUT THE WORK WILL BE DUE THE NEXT DAY              

Then I will get the work done first because I can still compensate on weekends for family.

AS WORKING MOTHERS, THEY HAVE TO SPEND TIME FOR WORK AS WELL AS CHILDREN, HOW ABOUT THE TIME THEY SHOULD SPEND WITH THEIR HUSBAND?

Of course spending time with husband is also a must but I feel the mother generally spends most of her time on the children.

AGAIN, HOW ARE WORKING MOTHERS ABLE TO SPEND TIME FOR THEIR SPOUSE?

Maybe they can spend times with husband on weekends and ask their parents to look after their kids for a while.

WHAT IS YOUR VIEWS ON MOTHERS HIRING A MAID OR SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO CHILDCARE CENTRE? DO YOU THINK IT IS RIGHT FOR MOTHERS TO DO THIS?

There is no right or wrong for this question, rather I think that mothers are forced to do so because there is no other choice-they have to work.

IF WORKING MOTHERS ARE GIVEN OPPORTUNITTIES IN THEIR JOB THAT ENABLES THEM TO BE PROMOTED BUT WILL REQUIRE THEM TO GO OVERSEAS, DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD GRAB THIS OPPORTUNITY OR SHOULD THEY SPEND MORE TIME ON FAMILY AND NOT THINK ABOUT BEING PROMOTED OR HAVING THE FRONTLINE JOBS?

This is difficult to answer but I will think that they should go overseas and leave the kids in Singapore.

WHAT IF THEY DID WELL IN THE OVERSEAS FOR THAT PIECE OF WORK AND GET PROMOTED WHEN THEY COME BACK TO SINGAPORE, THAT MEANS THEY WILL HAVE MORE RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXTRA WORK IN THEIR CAREER

Then they will have to miss the growing phase in their career and spend time with their children. If it is me, I would not go overseas if I already have kids but if I do not have any then I will still consider the opportunity.

SO IF YOU LET GO OF THIS OPPORTUINITTY, IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO CONTINUE WORKING IN YOUR CURRENT POSITION IN YOUR CAREER?

Yes, that’s right.

WILL YOU PREFER TO HIRE A MAID WHEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN?

I am not sure as I have not thought about it yet. I think I will really have to depend on my in-laws as I do not feel very secure to have a maid at home. Most probably I will send my children to childcare centre.

THEREFORE, HOW DO YOU THINK WORKING MOTHERS CAN BALANCE BOTH WORK AND FAMILY? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO DO THAT?

They surely need some help from their family and maybe seek help by sending their children to childcare centre or even take on a flexible jobs that allows them to work at home sometimes.

UNFORTUNATELY, WORKING MOTHERS CANNOT FIND JOBS THAT OFFERS FLEXIBLE HOURS SO EASILY SINCE NOW MOST COMPANIES PREFER THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

Quite true.

SO, OVERALL DO YOU THINK WORKING MOTHERS CAN BALANCE BOTH WORK AND FAMILY?

They should be able to balance but that will not be an easy task.

Interviewee: A 23 years old lady

Interviewed by: Shanny Thie

Interviews with the different ages of ladies

INTERVIEW WITH A NINE –YEAR-OLD GIRL (NEIGHBOUR)

 

Do you think mothers can work and take care of the family? Why do you think they can or cannot do so? If you are a working mother, do you think you will focus more on family or work? Do you think mothers should not care about work and instead concentrate on the family? Why?

 

I think mothers can both work and take care of the family because my mum also work and when she comes back home and take care of the family, she says that it is not tiring at all. As for me, I think that working mothers should focus more on family. Mothers should not care about their work because to me, a mother is a name who should stay at home and at least take care of the kids.

 

INTERVIEW WITH A THIRTEEN –YEAR-OLD GIRL (NEIGHBOUR)

 

Do you think mothers can take care of the family and work at the same time? What would you do if you were a mother? If you were a working mother, do you think you will focus more on family or work? Why?

 

Personally, I feel that mothers should go out to work and hire a maid to help take care of the family. It will be too exhausting to work and take care of the family at the same time. I do not know whether I will become a mother next time but I know that I do not want to get married. However, if I was a working mother, I would focus more on work as only by working could I then earn lots of money to make ends meet.

 

INTERVIEW WITH A FORTY-THREE –YEAR-OLD MOM

 

Can working mothers balance both work and family? What make you want to be a working mother? Will you focus more on work or family? Why do you make this choice? Do you think mothers should not care about work and instead concentrate on their family?

 

Of course they can! It will be very tiring though.  We have to work here and there daily. It is incredibly tiring. Even though I do not work now, I have been through it before.

In my perspectives, having a family is a must as it gives the joy to the family. Working is important too as you earn money from it. I will focus more on family, as humans are more precious than money. Yes, they should not care so much about their work and instead look after their family and cherish the people whom they loved and the people around them.

 

Interviewed by: Amanda Mak

Edited by: Shanny Thie