Recent social, cultural and economic transformations have changed the face of the Maltese family. Traditional family patterns have declined and conventional gender roles within the family are being challenged as family members increasingly seek fulfilment in both their private and public lives. Recent social and economic developments have also brought to the forefront an important dimension of work apart from its remunerative value: that of being a source of satisfaction and personal growth as well as a sphere of social interaction.
Although Malta still has the lowest female labour market participation rate in the EU, recently we have witnessed an increase in dual earner families. This is not simply a response to an increase in the cost of living or to the consumerist values which have come to characterise Maltese culture, although these may offer a partial explanation. The reasons behind the desire for both partners to work vary according to the social class background, the level of education and the nature of work of the partners. However, one cannot undermine valid reasons that go beyond remuneration and the material values attached to it.
More importantly, one cannot ignore the potential number of women who would like to participate in the labour market but, due to the obstacles they still face, cannot but remain tied to their home and childcare responsibilities. Of equal concern is the dilemma faced by fathers who would like to spend more time with their families but, due to economic and social pressures, have to work long hours to provide for their family.
These scenarios differ among different families who have their own special circumstances and also among different forms of family. If married women with young children find it difficult to strike a decent work-life balance, imagine how harder it is for lone parent families to achieve this important goal. Unfortunately, this state of affairs has not yet been sufficiently addressed by our policymakers.
Despite the rhetoric surrounding the family by conservative politicians; despite the targets set by the government to attract more women to the labour market, social policies that truly encourage individuals to make constraint-free choices have yet to be designed. Studies have shown that the stresses related to the efforts of combining the demands of work and private life have increased, especially for those who have small children. The gendered expectations traditionally tied to women urge them to give priority to their duties as wives, mothers and carers, denying them real opportunities to participate fully in the public sphere to the detriment of their personal growth, fulfilment, economic independence and career advancement. In contrast, men are perceived as breadwinners and denied any real opportunity to participate meaningfully in the private sphere, often missing out on the joys of fatherhood and not giving a helping hand with the housework.
Both sets of expectations may lead to frustration and lack of fulfilment in one sphere or the other as well as to family breakdown.
Alternattiva Demokratika has always advocated policies facilitating the choices made by couples who wish to give a contribution in both spheres. AD believes family-friendly measures need to be stepped up and gendered stereotyped roles challenged. It also believes these policies should not continue to discriminate against private sector employees who face even greater hurdles when it comes to finding a suitable work-life balance. Furthermore, it is not only those who have families who seek a suitable work-life balance. We all need some free time for relaxation or to pursue our personal interests. However, very often the Green party is a lone voice in these matters with the government and the opposition only paying lip service to such crucial issues surrounding modern lifestyles.
The EU Working Time Directive is a case in point. While both the government and the opposition strongly opposed it, AD believes it should be upheld. One of the reasons behind AD’s support for this directive is that, rather than encouraging the male breadwinner to work longer hours, men should be urged to spend more time with their family and to contribute more to housework and childcare. However, certain families find it difficult to cope with one basic income. Men would not need to work very long hours or to have additional part-time jobs if their wife or partner would have the option of giving their financial share. Yet, it is not easy for women with small children to take the plunge, especially if their conditions of work are not conducive to family life.
For more women to be able to contribute to the economy, they have to have real options. More workers need to be offered the opportunity to work flexibly; there have to be more affordable childcare options available and parents need to have more opportunities to stay home with their children during certain crucial periods such as soon after the birth of their child or when the children are sick. It is for this reason that AD is critical of the position taken by the government at the Council of Ministers when it voted against the extension of paid maternity leave. This is another example of a government that does not have the political will to give real options to those who seek to find a suitable work-life balance which will surely contribute not only to one’s personal fulfilment but also to stronger and more egalitarian families.
www.alternattiva.org.mt
The author is spokesman for social development of Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green party.