Juggling life : being a professional and a mother

Abstract

This dissertation examines the experiences of new mothers who strive to balance their roles as caregivers and professionals, and the strategies they employ to achieve their career aspirations while fulfilling their parental responsibilities. Using a qualitative approach, this study draws on in-depth interviews with a group of mothers to explore the challenges, opportunities, and support mechanisms they encounter in their pursuit of work-family balance. The study applies a feminist lens to analyse the intersections of gender, motherhood, and work, and the ways in which they shape the experiences of mothers in their personal and professional lives. The findings reveal that while mothers face numerous obstacles, such as physical exhaustion, feelings of guilt and a sense that they never having enough time to meet the demands of both work and family responsibilities, they also develop coping mechanisms, such as prioritizing, negotiating, and seeking social support, to overcome these challenges and achieve their goals. The research contributes to the existing literature on work-family balance and motherhood, by highlighting the unique experiences and voices of mothers from diverse backgrounds. It also provides practical implications for employers, policymakers, and individuals, to create more inclusive and supportive workplaces and policies that enable mothers to fulfil their career aspirations while also meeting their family responsibilities.