Get Christmas decorations and an Advent wreath, decorate the house, fill out the Advent calendar – this is where the “peace of Christmas” begins for many women the purest Christmas stress It's already the end of November. A few days later Santa Claus arrives, so several Christmas parties have to be held at work, kindergarten or school and at home we have to clean and bake – and clean again.
Who in the coming days Get gifts, also for the in-laws, the grandfather and the third aunts, it is clear – in a few weeks everyone wants to be happy, cared for and seen. Then, no later than the 24th, it is mandatory Decorated Christmas tree It is a lot of packages be enveloped underneath, the smell of Christmas Goose all family members are contemplative and friendly – you don't need to ask in advance who bought and cooked the goose. In the end, we can only hope that everyone is happy with their gifts, that neither the Christmas tree burns nor the star spray makes holes in the new sofa. And as a little bonus, on December 25th and 26th there will be another festive meal with punch and cookies. And then there is also a few days of relaxation for mom – until New Year's Eve.
Women often take care of family management, in addition to all the other tasks that accompany work and leisure.
Korinna Schumann, Vice President of the ÖGB and Federal Women's President
Christmas is tacitly declared a woman's business
What sounds like a bit of fun actually leaves many women sleepless for weeks before Christmas. Because holidays are a stress test for them and not a time for contemplation. “This burden is often taken for granted and goes unnoticed,” says Korinna Schumann, Vice-President and Federal President for Women of the ÖGB, highlighting the enormous contribution of women to society. Many things in partnerships divided between man and woman should be, it is tacitly declared a women's issue, especially at Christmas. “Cleaning the house, picking up the mother-in-law from the train station, preparing Christmas dinner, cooking the food, receiving the gifts and possibly also a job that requires you to work until 2pm on Christmas Eve – that’s not possible,” says Schumann who criticizes this These activities – like other care activities – are taken for granted To be accepted. “Women often take care of family management, in addition to all the other tasks that accompany work and leisure”, says the union leader.
Single father at risk of poverty
Christmas doesn't just mean excitement, but also financial stress. Current inflation hits women twice as hard, as incomes in female-dominated sectors are significantly lower. “This means that it is not just the work until just before the gift is given – like in retail – but also the salary that is a big problem,” explains Schumann, pointing out that women are also faced with financial pressure when gifts are given. handed out. given that children are smaller when there is less money. ““Child poverty is becoming a women’s problem,” says Schumann. And children of single parents are hit twice as often. In fact, lack of child support is one of the main reasons for child poverty: 36 percent of children receive nothing, most receive less than the standard requirement (average need for a child of a given age). Women are pushed into poverty and as a result left alone by politics. “There is no point in sending children to eat cheap fast food burgers at Christmas. Real solutions are finally needed here – not cynicism against women and children”, says Schumann, referring to the demands of the ÖGB free childcare, all-day school options and maintenance guarantee, so that children who receive little or no maintenance are protected.
Many women can only dream of peaceful, contemplative vacations. For some this may even seem cynical – because for them Christmas is pure emotional and financial stress
Korinna Schumann, Vice President of the ÖGB and Federal Women's President
Mom has to think hard until exhaustion
For many women they are Christmas holidays, free time without relaxation. The lack of recovery phases increases the risk of psychological stress and overwork and therefore also mental illness and even burnout. “Many women can only dream of contemplative and peaceful vacations. For some, this even seems cynical – because for them Christmas is pure emotional and financial stress”, emphasizes Schumann. The term mental load doesn't just mean taking on tasks, but also constantly thinking about what needs to be done and taking on responsibilities – that is, having to constantly deal with organizational issues. Women do four times as much unpaid work as men, including care work. This does not change if mothers have a higher salary than fathers.
Currently, parents work together about 60 hours a week, although paid work hours are not yet divided equally. For one more equal distribution between parents To achieve this and keep the overall loss of income as low as possible, the ÖGB calls for the implementation of the family working time model. The ÖGB-AK family working time model stipulates that if both parents reduce or increase their working hours to 28 to 32 hours per week after maternity leave and this “part-time” lasts at least four months, 250 euros per parent are tax exempt. every month until a maximum of the 4th birthday. This is necessary so that no one is at a disadvantage Flat rate also for single parents.
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Talk about mental load
“It is urgent to talk about the distribution of roles and the mental load. Small measures can help in everyday life, but social and, above all, political changes are also necessary”, says Schumann, calling for a Legal right to childcare from the child's first birthday and overcoming the pay gap between men and women. “Only then will women finally have freedom of choice and time to really breathe deeply,” says ÖGB Vice President Schumann. “Women make a huge contribution to society that needs to be properly recognized and ultimately rethought and shared – not just at Christmas, but throughout the year.”