Article May 5, 1997 Issue

Is motherhood a worthy career?

Beverly Goldsmith

On the second Sunday in May each year, Australians celebrate Mother's Day. Throughout the country, children of all ages remember the special part their mothers play in nurturing and caring for them. Little ones show their appreciation by giving Mum her breakfast in bed. Adults visit and may give a gift or a bunch of white chrysanthemums. Many churches mark this day by holding services that commemorate the role of motherhood.

However, while mothering is acknowledged in this way, there is still a lingering perception that raising children is not an important job—not when compared to other professions. Why is this? What would deny the worth of rearing children? Perhaps it has something to do with how this work is viewed.

Some people see it as a woman's job that isn't prestigious or significant. Others see it as unpaid, unskilled work that doesn't contribute to a country's gross national product. As a result, individuals, employers, and governments sometimes do or say things that don't appear to value parenting.

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