Unit 4: Women of Power (1ère Générale)

We’ll make it work!

The document under study is an extract of an article from the British newspaper the Guardian, published in 2018. It deals with Jacinda Arden, New Zealand Prime Minister at the time who had a child six weeks before going back to work.

Her life partner/husband is Clark Gayford, they had a daughter named Neve. We have learned that her husband does not have a job. She considers him as being a full parent as her, therefore he should care of the baby as much as she does. Hence, she feels lucky to have him as a life partner because he takes his responsibilities as a parent seriously.

The impact of her actions on other mother could on one hand inspiring because she just gave birth and she is already working full time, meaning she is not putting her career a side. She is showing that she can be a mother and at the same time handling her professional career successfully. Moreover, the fact that the PM she took a break of 6 weeks while having a stressful and important job aims at signaling to all of the women in the world that whatever your job is, you have the right and the need to take a break to recover after giving birth.

On the other hand, the fact that she goes back to work that quickly may make some women feel guilty about taking a longer break. They may feel the urge to go back to work earlier as this woman of power is showing another example. Some women would need more time to rest and to take care of their child for example.

Homework: Learn the lesson.

Enjoy your vacation! 😉