Name(s):
Health hazards of motherhood
Social disadvantage of being a mother
Social isolation of mothers
Misleading myths concerning motherhood
Nature
Apart from the physical dangers inherent in pregnancy and childbirth, mothers caring for their children suffer sleep deprivation, constipation, haemorrhoids, cracked nipples, nausea, social isolation, and boredom. Few people are willing to admit that caring for children is exhausting, difficult, and sometimes frightening. Psychiatrists have noted that depression in women tends to be limited to the period of their reproductive lives. The stresses of motherhood are undoubtedly a contributing factor.
Claim
Children are the single greatest obstacle to sexual equality for women. On average motherhood means a net loss of over six years of paid work. A typical woman in the UK having two children in her late twenties has nine years less full-time employment, but 2.8 years part-time employment. In comparison men pay no such price for parenthood.