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It is certainly true that the position of women in society
has undergone a dramatic change in the past twenty years but I do not feel that
this is a direct cause of the indisputable increase in juvenile-related
problems during this period.
It is now accepted that young women should find work on
leaving school; indeed to rely totally on their parents' financial support is
no longer an option in many families. Likewise, once they get married, the
majority of women continue working since the financial pressures of setting up
a house and establishing a reasonable standard of living often require two
incomes.
Twenty years ago it was common for women to give up work
once they had children and devote their time to caring for their children. This
is no longer the general rule and the provision of professionally-run child
care facilities and day nurseries have removed much of the responsibility for
child rearing that used to fall to mothers. However, these facilities come at a
cost and often require two salaries coming into a family to be afforded.
I do not believe that the increase in the number of working
mothers has resulted in children being brought up less well than previously.
Indeed it could be argued that by giving mothers the opportunity to work and
earn extra money children can be better provided for than previously. There is
more money for luxuries and holidays and a more secure family life is possible.
Of course there are limits as to the amount of time that ideally should be
spent away from home and the ideal scenario would be for one of the parents
(often the wife) to have a part-time job and thus be available for their
children before and after school. It is important to establish the correct balance
between family life and working life.
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