eunseo kim / wed 1-2

Pg 109 topic 3

           'Working mom' is a commonly-spoken term in many societies including Korea, while it is rarely heard in Sweden where women welfare is well-established. Working mothers in Korea are often confronted with a serious role conflict, which force them to give up either one of the roles. To guarantee their life as a good mother and an employee, the society needs to achieve two things; an extended parental leave and a well-established policy to prevent career break.

           Maternity leave is a commonly used term that often replaces parental leave. This is because in most societies, childcare is dumped only on the mothers. However, in many countries over the world, even maternity leaves are not given for granted. This is the major reason that generates role conflict among working women. While women are left with childcare, they are not given enough leave from work; doubling the hardship. Taking a closer look to Korean society would better develop this point. According to the government's data, only 60.5 percent of women in 2016 were lucky enough to take a leave from work after work. But even this number seems quite bubbled, considering that only 56.6 percent of women were able to come back to their work after the leave. The remaining 43.4 percent were unable to lead on their career, causing a career break.

           To prevent such problems, maternity leave must be guaranteed by the law for all working women. In this status quo, many women feel diffident to take a leave due to the psychological and practical pressure from their workplace. If it is legally guaranteed, all women will be free from work-family role conflict. Moreover, the previous maternity leave must be extended to a 'parental leave', where men can also take some rest from their work and focus on childcare as well.

           Taking a step further, 'career break' is also a problem that the society must tackle. Although more women take a parental leave, it is inevitable that some of them feel it difficult coming back to their workplace. This causes career break, which is a loss to both the women and the society. While more women can lead on their career, getting another job after birth is quite difficult. As it is a loss for both the society and the women, this vicious cycle must stop; the government must establish more policies to protect women's career.

           Women, under same work conditions, can do just as well as men employees. However, women are mostly faced with role conflict; between their role as a good worker and an good parent. Such problems need the intervention of both the society and the government; to create a fair, equal society. This is a matter of justice- it is fair and square that women are free from role conflict.