As involved as I am with advocating the future of work, I have to wonder what a four-day workweek would have meant for my mother. A woman who recently turned 60, birthed four kids and is still working. Traditionally, women have been designated as the nurturers by default. This may be true, but it also stems from an antiquated and patriarchal way of thinking.
I may not remember the young woman who nurtured me in those first few months, but over the next two decades I would have a front row seat to see my sisters being cared for. Not saying my father served a lesser role, but when we think about the essence of home it’s usually tied to our mothers. Memories of homecooked meals, clean clothes, gentle hugs, kind words and for many of us that first encounter with unconditional love.
In my personal capacity, accomplishing the objectives of the 4 Day Week SA programme, is a labour of love. Had this been an option for my mother all those decades ago, she’d have had more options. I have one child and see how hard my wife works to accomplish the millions of chores available on a daily basis. Surely my mother had dreams and aspirations before I came along.
Mothers should not have to be granted the gift of time so late in their lives. The maternal instinct is the very thing keeping the fabric of society intact. Think about all those mothers in the industries where you require a sympathetic ear and heart filled with empathy. Isn’t a day off a wonderful way to compensate our mothers for a debt we can never really repay?
4 Day Week SA, INFJ, dear INFJ, 4 Day Workweek, 4 Day Week, Future Of Work, Entrepreneurship, Lead With Empathy, South Africa’s Digital Revolution, Work Time Reduction, Reduced Workweek Revolution, Wellbeing In The Workplace, Proudly South African
David-John Wayne Bailey is an INFJ from Cape Town, a proud pioneer pilot participant of 4 Day Week SA and an advocate of a four-day week for everyone working in South Africa.