#Childcare #Mother #India
Among other oppressive forces working against women, one that is most difficult to face is "children need mother in early years".
This leads to exclusion of women from workforce for long periods.
Let's look at this assumption about mother's role.
Among other oppressive forces working against women, one that is most difficult to face is "children need mother in early years".
This leads to exclusion of women from workforce for long periods.
Let's look at this assumption about mother's role.
A baby needs mother figure for attachment and nourishment. This is undeniable.
Key question is - How long?
Key question is - How long?
In most traditional households this responsibility is continued literally till kids become adults and marry. !!
First 6 months of life of a baby are essential for mother and baby to be near each other for nursing and caring.
As baby is weaned or other food is introduced, constant proximity with mother is not needed. Physically and mentally. Many babies manage this from 3rd month.
As baby is weaned or other food is introduced, constant proximity with mother is not needed. Physically and mentally. Many babies manage this from 3rd month.
Breast feeding is recommended for as long as possible. But that doesn't have to be a millstone around mother's neck
Babies and children need to be looked after and that job can be done by any set of consistent caretakers in consistent environment.
In fact as children start walking and interacting, typically around 1-1.5yr of age, exposure to more adults and children is much better influence for development of language skills, social skills and self help.
A small child locked in a home with one adult or one caretaker is actually quite a bad idea. Especially if the care taker is an adolescent girl hired by family for "helping the mother".
Even from safety point of view (preventing abuse and Pre-emptying emergencies), a child is better of in a group looked after by more than one adult.
Many mothers are forced to stay at home till children start school. Their own parents and in-laws (seniors in the family) drilling in the guilt of leaving the child "alone" or "with child care" .
Most such seniors don't offer any practical help in child care. Mother is left at home looking after the child who needs exposure to wider world and self care skills.
So if you are member of a family, encourage mothers to pursue their chosen work and start outsourcing child care. In modern nuclear families and urban living, children fare better when brought up in a group.
We are called social animals for this reason.
We are called social animals for this reason.
Summary - let mothers take the call on need and extent of their role in child care without burdening them with guilt.
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