Here’s a little story… It’s like a small anecdote!
Work-life balance for married Malayali women has become an increasingly important issue in Kerala today. While opportunities for education and careers have expanded, many women still face the pressure of managing both home and professional responsibilities. A few decades ago, when women in Kerala got married and moved to their husband’s home, they rarely thought about their dreams or desires. The circumstances didn’t allow them to think about such things. However, after considerable effort, women began to have opportunities to pursue education, explore the world beyond their husbands’ homes, and lead fulfilling lives. Gradually, they started to acquire the necessary skills, secure jobs, and enjoy their lives. Today, women can balance their personal and professional lives, finding happiness in the process.
- Despite these advancements, the social environment has not improved significantly in many places.
- The prevailing mindset, societal norms, and workplace pressures still lead people to believe that women cannot balance their personal and professional lives effectively.
- It’s often assumed that women who do manage to balance both will likely face significant personal problems.
- By seeking emotional support, maintaining work-life balance, and adopting stress-reducing strategies, women can successfully navigate their personal and professional lives.
- Professional counseling and therapy can be beneficial in achieving this balance. Such support can be highly effective in promoting a healthy work-life balance.
Need to Talk to Someone?
Book a private online session with a licensed therapist
Read on to learn more about the work-life balance issues faced by married women in Kerala and the ways to overcome them….
Despite advancements, women in Kerala and across India continue to face significant challenges. Even with progress in various fields, women often struggle to approach life with independence and happiness. While it’s commonly acknowledged that women excel in multiple areas and manage both family and work responsibilities, a closer look reveals the struggles married working women face.
- A study by Hochschild and Machung (2012) notes that women experience more work-life balance challenges than men, largely due to traditional gender roles that prioritize domestic responsibilities.
- Another study by Sunita Malhotra and Swapna Sachdeva (2005) highlights that women need to work to meet financial needs, gain independence, and maintain social status. However, working women still bear domestic responsibilities, and managing both can lead to stress and challenges for women.
- Married working women in Kerala face various challenges, including the difficulties of balancing work and family responsibilities, the resulting stress and other problems, and the added responsibilities that come with it.
- These challenges can lead to significant mental stress. Counseling can be highly beneficial in improving the mental health of working women in Kerala.
- According to Clark’s (2000) work-family border theory, a crucial aspect of balancing work and family life is establishing clear boundaries in both professional and domestic roles. To what extent are Malayali working married women able to achieve this?
Online counseling services with Malayali therapists are now available, providing a convenient and accessible solution.
1. Job-related problems.
For working married women in Kerala, managing work and family responsibilities can be a significant source of stress. Societal expectations and traditional gender roles contribute to this stress.
- Long working hours and the pressure to balance career and family responsibilities can take a toll on women’s mental health.
- Job stability and security are also crucial factors. Uncertainty about job security can lead to various types of stress and anxiety.
- The impact of not being able to balance professional and personal commitments affects overall well-being. Additionally, workplace discrimination can also have a significant impact on women’s mental health.
- Some studies suggest that many Indian companies still lack comprehensive policies to support working women.
If you’re experiencing such stress, seeking counseling is essential. Various therapies, including work-life balance and counseling services specifically designed for married Malayali women, can be helpful. These services are now easily accessible online
2. Emotional struggles
- The stress of managing professional and personal life, along with the pressure of societal expectations and traditional gender roles, can lead to significant emotional struggles for women.
- The multiple roles that women play, including being a wife, mother, and professional, can cause emotional exhaustion.
- When women experience burnout, seeking therapy can be helpful in improving their mental health.
Working women in India can benefit from therapies such as Married Malayali Woman Therapy and Work-Life Stress Management Therapy. Additionally, options like Malayali Therapist for Anxiety and Malayali Therapist for Depression can also be explored. These services can provide emotional support and guidance to help women manage their stress and improve their overall well-being.
3. Societal expectations
- There’s a common notion that women who work outside the home can’t manage their families well. Women who defy these societal expectations often face criticism. These expectations can create significant stress for women.
- Trying to be a perfect homemaker and balancing a career can lead to feelings of overwhelm. Women may struggle to take a break from either responsibility.
- Additionally, balancing professional and personal identities can lead to identity crises, confusion, and emotional turmoil.
In such cases, attending Malayali therapy sessions or couples therapy can be beneficial. Online Malayali counseling sessions are now easily accessible, providing a convenient solution for managing these challenges.
4. Lack of support
- Despite facing societal pressures and gender role expectations, women often find that support from their partners and families can be a significant stress-reliever.
- However, many women do not receive the support they need from their families, which can exacerbate their mental health struggles.
- When partners and families respect and support women’s work and personal lives, it can greatly reduce stress. Unfortunately, many married working women face the opposite, leading to increased emotional stress.
In such cases, attending Malayali therapy sessions or couples therapy can be beneficial. Online Malayali counseling sessions are now easily accessible, providing a convenient solution for managing these challenges.
5. Depression and anxiety
- Statistics show that women, particularly married working women, are disproportionately affected by depression and anxiety. The above-mentioned factors can contribute to these mental health issues.
- When married working women experience excessive stress and emotional challenges, it can lead to depression and anxiety.
In such cases, seeking professional help is essential. Therapy sessions and Malayali counseling sessions can be beneficial. Online therapy and counseling services for anxiety and depression are also available and highly recommended. Additionally, seeking counseling to improve work-life balance can also help improve mental health.
6. Self-doubt and low self-esteem
- The constant criticism and discrimination from society, the workplace, and family can lead to confusion, stress, and self-doubt in women.
- This can gradually erode their self-esteem. Often, women barely have time for themselves, prioritizing family and work responsibilities over their happiness and self-care. Married working women frequently struggle to find time for activities that bring them joy and relaxation.
- Engaging in leisure activities and self-care practices can help improve mental health. Seeking counseling can also be beneficial, especially when dealing with self-doubt.
Counseling services are available to improve mental health and achieve work-life balance. With online counseling options and Malayali counseling sessions, taking advantage of these services can help lead a happier life.
7. Domestic violence
- Domestic violence is a prevalent issue in Kerala, with women experiencing various forms of abuse.
- As mentioned earlier, a lack of support from family can make life unbearable for working married women.
- They face verbal, physical, and mental abuse, which can lead to suicidal tendencies. Kerala reports a high number of women succumbing to such pressures.
It’s essential to provide support, therapy, and counseling to help them cope with these challenges.
A study by Kumar and Arora (2020) highlights that female employees in developing economies like India face significant challenges. Cultural expectations and family responsibilities intersecting with professional life are major contributors to this issue. To address this, companies can implement policies that support women, create a women-friendly work environment, and promote equal sharing of domestic responsibilities.
Feeling Overwhelmed?
You’re Not Alone. Get Support from an
Oppam Therapist Wherever You Are
Oppam Therapist Wherever You Are
Additionally, providing counseling services to women facing stress can be beneficial. Malayali counseling sessions and licensed Malayali psychologists are available to provide the necessary support.
Work-life stress and burnout are significant concerns for women, particularly those balancing multiple responsibilities. Burnout can manifest as emotional exhaustion, reduced performance, and cynicism towards work.
- Multiple roles: Managing work, family, and personal responsibilities can lead to role conflict and overload.
- Lack of support: Insufficient support from family, colleagues, or supervisors can exacerbate stress.
- Societal expectations: Unrealistic expectations around women’s roles and responsibilities can contribute to burnout.
- Workplace stressors: Long working hours, lack of control, and unsupportive work environments can increase stress.
Symptoms of Burnout
- Emotional exhaustion: Feeling drained, depleted, and exhausted.
- Reduced performance: Decreased productivity, motivation, and job satisfaction.
- Cynicism and detachment: Feeling disconnected from work, colleagues, or family.
- Physical symptoms: Headaches, sleep disturbances, and other physical complaints.
Consequences of Burnout
- Mental health issues: Burnout can contribute to depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
- Physical health problems: Chronic stress can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health issues.
- Strained relationships: Burnout can affect relationships with family, friends, and colleagues.
Prevention and Management Strategies
- Self-care: Prioritizing activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction.
- Boundary setting: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life.
- Seeking support: Building a support network of family, friends, and colleagues.
- Time management: Effective time management can help reduce stress and increase productivity.
- Professional help: Seeking help from mental health professionals or career coaches can provide additional support. Malayali counseling sessions and Oppam’s licensed Malayali psychologists are available to provide the necessary support.
It’s essential to discuss the mental health of mothers who have to leave their homeland and culture to go to other countries for work or other reasons. NRI Malayali mothers face numerous challenges, including isolation, the stress of caring for a child without any help, and the difficulties of establishing their identity in a new country.
NRI (Non-Resident Indian) mothers often face unique challenges while living abroad, including:
Emotional Struggles
- Isolation and loneliness: Leaving behind family and friends in India can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
- Cultural adjustment: Adapting to a new culture, language, and customs can be overwhelming and stressful.
- Motherhood in a foreign land: Managing childcare without the support of extended family members can be daunting.
Practical Challenges
- Language barriers: Communication difficulties can hinder daily tasks, social interactions, and access to services.
- Navigating unfamiliar systems: Understanding and navigating healthcare, education, and other systems in a foreign country can be complex.
- Balancing work and family: Managing work-life balance while raising children in a foreign country can be stressful.
- In such situations, seeking professional help is the best course of action. For Malayali mothers living abroad, presenting their problems and finding solutions in their language can be a significant challenge. As a result, many may not utilize counseling services.
- To address your difficulties and conflicts and seek solutions, Oppam provides facilities such as Malayali Moms Abroad Therapy and NRI Mothers Online Counseling.
- As Oppam is the first online system that can be accessed from anywhere in Kerala at any time, NRI women experiencing isolation and emotional loneliness can utilize these online counseling and therapy services.
Remember, you are not alone ,Oppam is with you.
To improve working women’s mental health and balance work-life stress, consider the following strategies:
Individual Strategies
- Prioritize self-care: Engage in activities that promote relaxation and stress reduction, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.
- Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
- Seek support: Build a support network of family, friends, and colleagues to share responsibilities and provide emotional support.
- Time management: Effective time management can help reduce stress and increase productivity.
- Professional help: Consider seeking help from mental health professionals or career coaches for additional support. With online counseling options and Malayali counseling sessions, taking advantage of these services can help lead a happier life.
Organizational Strategies
- Flexible work arrangements: Offer flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flexible hours, to support work-life balance.
- Employee wellness programs: Implement employee wellness programs that promote mental health, stress management, and overall well-being.
- Supportive work environment: Foster a supportive work environment that encourages open communication, empathy, and understanding.
- Mental health resources: Provide access to mental health resources, such as counseling services or employee assistance programs.
- Training and development: Offer training and development opportunities that promote career growth and personal development.
Societal Strategies
- Promote gender equality: Promote gender equality in the workplace and at home to reduce the burden of caregiving responsibilities.
- Support policies: Advocate for policies that support working women, such as paid family leave, childcare support, and equal pay.
- Raise awareness: Raise awareness about the importance of mental health and the challenges faced by working women.
- Community support: Build community support networks that provide emotional support and practical assistance.
- Education and training: Provide education and training opportunities that promote mental health literacy and stress management skills.
All women aspire to balance their work and personal life harmoniously. This is achievable, but often, women face significant mental stress due to various challenges. The first step is to overcome the feeling of being alone. It’s essential to carve out time for yourself, to express your stress and difficulties, and to seek counseling. By doing so, you can make your life more joyful and beautiful. To lead a healthy and happy life, don’t hesitate to utilize counseling services.
Remember, you’re not alone; our team is here to support you. Take advantage of Oppam’s Malayali counseling services and licensed Malayali psychologists.
Reference:
Struggling?
Talk to an Oppam Therapist
Get the Support You Deserve Online & Confidential
