Unit 4: Women of Power (Première Générale)

We’ll make it work!

The document under study is an article published in the Guardian, a British broadsheet newspaper, in 2018. It deals with the birth of Jacinda Arden’s baby. Jacinda Arden was the Prime Minister of New Zealand at the time. Seeing a young mother being at the position of a main political leader is unprecedented ( never seen before). She took 6 weeks of maternity leave. Afterwards, her husband, Clark Gayford, will stay at home to take care of the child. Six weeks is very short, nevertheless, she says that feels privileged and lucky to be supported by her husband. Indeed, her husband takes on his responsibilities as a full-fledged parent.

Her testimony can be inspiring for other families as it can help change mentalities over gender balance because many people still think that women should be the ones who would stop their part in their working world upon becoming mothers.

She could reconcile both private and public life by having the support of her husband and she would bring her baby in her office and on her travels.

Homework: Learn the lesson.