Statement by Regine Stachelhaus, Panel 3
One of the most frequent asked questions from my female mentees is: How did you manage not only to have a family and raise your son but also to simultaneously pursue a career? This clearly shows the pressure on women to decide between employment or working in the family.
The result is alarming. But the aging of the German society came not by surprise. The birth rate in Germany has been declining for many years resulting in one of the lowest birth rates worldwide. We are already confronted with the consequences of the negative impact on demographics: it is becoming challenging to find enough strong and well educated candidates for good jobs.
Academically qualified women are disproportionately affected by the drop in birth-rate. Firstly, they delay child-bearing and then either have only one child or remain childless. They are not motivated by a selfish attitude but truly fear the feasibility of successfully managing a demanding job and motherhood. When they see the balancing act of other stressed working mothers, they are not encouraged to have a baby.
In particular, they personally doubt, whether they would have enough support
- from their partner
- from their employer and their colleagues
- and from their family, friends and the society
Particularly in Germany with its history of women being responsible for the children and family, the partner may not agree to fairly share childcare. Further, the employer and colleagues may question whether or not understand that she will no longer be reachable and available around the clock and will not be ready for every trip around the world at the drop of a hat.
Other people may call her a "Rabenmutter" if her child comes to Kindergarten in the morning with socks in 2 different colours. Or if the child does not get freshly cooked meals at lunchtime. Every failing or difficulty of a child is accredited to the mother's working status.
Many young women feel caught in a un-solvable dilemma -
personally I think this kind of choice is completely in-human.
What we need is a new public debate, which Ursula von der Leyen has already started. And we need more successful role models, more support by governmental initiatives but also more support from employers and industry.
And what we especially need in Germany is a change in the acceptance of working mothers by the society.
Last but not least, we need women with more belief in their own strengths and with enough self-confidence to overcome the obstacles and to ignore social pressure. It is possible and opens up the door even wider for the next generation.
I strongly recommend my young female colleagues not to miss the best experience in life and to have children.
