Madam, - It is distressing to see a society divided - unnecessarily - between women who choose to stay at home rearing children and those who, for whatever reason, are part of the workforce outside the home. It is an entirely artificial divide - and it exists because of the failure of successive Irish governments and social partners to put children at the centre of social and economic policy. People who were annoyed by Mary Robinson's phrase "copping out " - unfortunate if taken out of context - should direct their wrath at Government, unions, and employers in Ireland. They are the people who have "copped out".
In societies where priority is given to children, such as the Nordic countries, both parents are given enormous consideration while the child is aged six or below. Practical financial child support is continued while older children are still dependent. But fathers and mothers are recognised as prime and natural carers of small children. Hence not only are there very generous parental leave, excellent childcare, and child benefits, but a range of other supports as well. Employers work with the state in making sure that parents of young children do not have to face the dilemma which Irish parents deal with. Schools are resources for families for older children outside school hours. We have made almost no progress in Ireland compared with the best in Europe.
These societies have decided that strong, child-centred, family-friendly policies are the very best way to go. It is no coincidence that their governments and parliaments have the highest representation of women anywhere in the world. They are stable, relatively prosperous countries whose people pay high taxes to have high standards of social policy.
Is there any chance at all that the coming Budget will take steps to change the woefully inadequate work-life balance facing parents of young children in Ireland? - Yours, etc,
GEMMA HUSSEY,
European Women's
Foundation,
Burlington Road,
Dublin 4.