The Burden of Care-work on Women

Women have a lot to be angry about and not enough outlets to express themselves. In many cultures and religions across the world, women are to be treated with respect and care. However, women's rights as individuals are greatly truncated.

In many cultures, women (including young girls) are expected to take charge of things that men are not in charge of. This includes housekeeping, preparation of food, child rearing, and taking care of the men in their lives too.

The cultural and religious implications of caring for women have in no way reduced gender-based sexual violence, employment stigma, period stigma and the like. Instead, there is an incessant pressure from everyone in society trying to convince the child-free woman why she must procreate; the woman who is comfortable with her body hairs that she must shave; and the woman in a sexual relationship to fake her orgasm to massage her partner’s ego. Everything a woman does that can or should be accepted is based on what others deem acceptable.

Everyone is allowed to have an opinion except the woman concerned - the victim of society.

What is considered suitable for girls includes but is not limited to cooking, laundry, playing the piano… Women are not supposed to own land or dream of high flying jobs or even own a name. Who do you think you are?

Also, there are a lot of misconceptions about what a woman should be able to do. One of such misconceptions is breastfeeding. Not every woman can breastfeed her child as she wants to or as much as her child may need. A lot of women struggle with this and often feel as if they are not doing enough. Some even feel like failures, and this is not discussed as it should, even in women's circles. There is also a stigma associated with breastfeeding in public. Yet, the breast is the best.

Breasts are mostly seen as purely sexual objects and therefore women are expected to cover up their breasts while they breastfeed. This can be hilarious when you think of the backlash the women who bottle-feed their babies face. From unsolicited advice stating blatantly that they should feed their baby from “the source”, to questioning glances and sometimes vocal concerns about whether the content of the bottle is formula or breast milk. There is someone who will always judge a woman's choice. To be honest, a lot of women do their best which never seems to be enough. 

“Why can't you breastfeed? You have big breasts.”

“I want to marry someone with big breasts so that my children can enjoy.”

It's safe to point out here that the size of a woman's breasts does not in any way mean she has enough glandular tissue to support breastfeeding or produce enough milk. This is a common misconception even among educated women.

Hypoplasia or Insufficient Glandular Tissue, commonly known as primary lactation failure is a condition where a mother is unable to produce enough milk for her baby. Secondary lactation failure on the other hand is a condition where a mother is unable to sustain her milk production for long.

Nothing prepares you for your baby refusing to nurse. It is easier to blame your body for not producing enough milk, or for ending milk production too soon. But how do you counter a case where you have an unlimited supply of milk and your child is refusing breast milk too soon? Honestly, there is not enough data backed up by science to support all these issues. Fortunately, more people are open to sharing their experiences. Whatever the case may be, you are never alone and every experience is personal.