The international trade lawyer and wife of deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has spoken out about the constant parenting obstacles women have to contend with
It’s a dilemma we know all too well – how do you get the right balance between motherhood and having a career? And not feel guilty. Miriam González Durántez says it’s society’s narrow views that often create the biggest obstacles.
In The Telegraph today, she argues that women are held back by ‘absurd labels’, saying that if they want to stay home to look after their children, they are labelled as ‘not working,’ but if they have a job, they’re ‘part-time mums’ or even ‘bad parents’.
And it’s not just how you parent your kids that comes under fire in the column.
Miriam goes on to say that if you don’t have kids, you are assumed to be ‘frustrated’ while if you’re a successful professional you’re ‘scary’ and if you like science, you’re a ‘geek’.
To combat this, she is helping the charity Inspiring the Future create a network of role models to help young girls find their ‘right path’. The role models include BBC presenter Fiona Bruce and EasyJet chief executive Carolyn McCall.
Our Working Mums Club also features an inspirational panel of mums in a variety of professions (from TV presenter to author). Feel unsupported at work? We hear you. Struggling to balance career and family? We’ve got the information you need. Look out for details here and in Mother&Baby – and find our #workingmumsclub on Facebook and Twitter.
What are your main challenges as a working parent? Let us know in the comments box below.