Venezuela's new labour law: The best Mother's Day gift

[crooked_halo]

Here is some news that the conservative critics of Venezuela's leftist government will not publicize. The Chavistas announced that a new labour law, part of which will grant recognition to non-salaried work traditionally done by women, will come into effect this week. Full-time mothers will now be able to collect a pension.While there are a number

Comments

[crooked_halo]

So, my first thought on this was to wonder whether or not these benefits would be extended to fathers who choose to stay home.

I have to admit that I don't know a whole lot about Venezuela's government so any thoughts I might have on this are framed by my perspectives as a US citizen.

I feel like this could be a very positive thing, but it might also come with societal/cultural pressure on women to stay home with their kids when that might not be the right choice for every woman.

On the other hand, I really wish that the US would do something like this because I think that staying home as a parent (whether as a mom or a dad) is one of the best things you can do for your kids.

[the_physicist]

I feel like this could be a very positive thing, but it might also come with societal/cultural pressure on women to stay home with their kids when that might not be the right choice for every woman.

They're being offered a pension. Free child care that would allow them to have a job and bring in money and collect a pension from having that job is also available already to many. So. I don't think that's the idea here. The idea is as the article states, in a sense, more one of acknowledging stay at home mothers.

This government is currently trying to hang onto power after a disputed election so they are trying to do things that will put them in a good light with people. Though I think they were planning this before already, this is something they are doing for women, not for men to be able to then stuff their women inside and not let them out of the house.

On the other hand, I really wish that the US would do something like this because I think that staying home as a parent (whether as a mom or a dad) is one of the best things you

[crooked_halo]

That is actually a lot better than I was thinking. I got the impression from the article (and I was very tired/stressed when reading it) that the pension was only if the women stay home. But as you are describing it, that's actually really awesome.

And you're very right about the last line. Again, I was tired and stressed and I think projecting because I have a lot of guilt myself about the fact that my husband and I both work and are both so exhausted due to the fact that we're on opposite work schedules since daycare isn't an option for us financially, so anyway due to this exhaustion I feel that I'm not the parent that I feel I *should* be.

Tl;dr, essentially that was a poorly worded last sentence that had a lot more to do with my own parenting guilt than anything else. Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of statements like this myself because each child is different in what's best for them.

[the_physicist]

That is actually a lot better than I was thinking. I got the impression from the article (and I was very tired/stressed when reading it) that the pension was only if the women stay home. But as you are describing it, that's actually really awesome.

communism was always very very big on equal rights for women.

And you're very right about the last line. Again, I was tired and stressed and I think projecting because I have a lot of guilt myself about the fact that my husband and I both work and are both so exhausted due to the fact that we're on opposite work schedules since daycare isn't an option for us financially, so anyway due to this exhaustion I feel that I'm not the parent that I feel I *should* be. yeah, don't sweat it, i can definitely understand that guilt. society is very good at that kind of stuff. >_> the lack of affordable or free childcare drives me up the wall. the amount of money they want here... it's ridiculous and just very screwed up. i do think it's great that you can have opposite work schedules though at

[zinnia_rose]

I think it's great, especially for single parents who would otherwise have to add childcare to the list of things one income needs to cover. It's also great for two-parent families and eliminates needing to choose between living on one income and living on two incomes but adding childcare costs and inconveniences to the mix.

[crooked_halo]

I totally agree with this. I think I've been wondering what the catch is here because it just sounds too good to be true. I just can't imagine having the luxury (for lack of a better word) of being able to choose to stay home with my kids.

[the_physicist]

Except this is Venezuela, not the USA. They have a lot of free childcare programmes for 0-6 year old preschoolers so that both parents can work. 45% of children in Venezuela are now in state sponsored day care centres, because that was something Hugo Chavez pushed for.

[belleweather]

I think it's hilarious that this ONTD_P post appeared immediately after a discussion with a friend of mine in Caracas about his woes being unable to get basic staple foods and toilet paper on in the reading order of my friends list.

Oh LJ, your unintentional irony brings me lulz.

[crooked_halo]

Oh wow.

And yes, definite unintentional irony.

Is he unable to get those things because they're too expensive or because they're simply in short supply out of curiosity?

[the_physicist]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/may/16/venezuela-toilet-paper-shortage-50m

[crooked_halo]

Thank you! And also, I wonder if the pun in that article was intentional?

I do feel for them though.

[romp]

Right on. The goal is to reduce inequality, right? And women and children make up most of the poor.

Does this have to get all academic? :(

[crooked_halo]

Doesn't everything?

Seriously though, as long as it's not used to guilt women into staying home, I think this is a pretty awesome initiative.

[mingemonster]

Oh fuck yes.