Women and men experience different impacts on their careers after becoming parents

The birth of a child represents a watershed moment in the personal and professional lives of parents, but men and women experience this transition unequally in the workplace. Maternity and paternity leave laws, despite evolving over the years, still reinforce disparities that directly impact women's careers. 

While maternity leave in Brazil can last up to six months, paternity leave is much shorter, with only five working days guaranteed by law, which broadens the challenge of gender equity upon returning to work. Data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) also shows that, in 2021, the female labor force participation rate was 51.6%, well below the 71.6% for men. This difference worsens after motherhood, with an increase of up to 50% in the participation gap between women and men who have children compared to those without children. 

According to Bia Nóbrega, a specialist in Human and Organizational Development, says that over the past 30 years, the job market has made significant advancements, but women still face all kinds of barriers after childbirth. "Motherhood continues to be one of the biggest challenges in women's professional careers. The consequences are especially evident during the first five years of a child's life, a period when dedication to childcare is most intensive," she says.

Reduced work hours, flexible schedules, extended leave, and paid time off to deal with issues such as medical appointments and school adjustments, among other topics, are still very nascent discussions in the country. "Furthermore, when these issues are discussed, the focus is on making them women's rights, when they should be extended to any caregiver, precisely to lighten the burden on women when it comes to balancing career and children," she explains. 

In this context, these professionals still face the difficult task of balancing professional life with general domestic responsibilities – seen as feminine responsibilities, and the effects of this imbalance are amplified by the lack of adequate support policies, such as the provision of daycare centers and full-time schools. It is also important to note that single mothers are the second largest family structure in Brazil, which places even more responsibilities and challenges in their hands. 

An unequal labor market

In addition to issues of labor market participation, there is also a considerable disparity in terms of wages. Studies show that, in 2021, mothers earned about 22.8% less than fathers in similar roles. This reflects both a devaluation of women's work and the cultural pressure that positions women as primary caregivers.

To promote a more inclusive and equitable corporate environment, specialists suggest that companies adopt measures such as flexible work hours, extended paternity leave, and the implementation of shared parental leave policies. "It is necessary to create an organizational culture that supports both men and women in balancing professional and family life, so that equity goes beyond office vacancies offered equally to all genders," argues the specialist. 

The challenges faced by women after childbirth are largely a reflection of ingrained social norms. However, with the implementation of public and corporate policies focused on this issue, the impact of these inequalities can be reduced. Initiatives such as accessible childcare and the awareness that investing in early childhood support is also caring for a healthier future community, with access to better educational and work conditions, are fundamental steps towards the development of a society that values and supports diversity.