International Women's day sheds light on reality

Joanne Richard, Special to QMI Agency Mar 9, 2015

, Last Updated: 10:03 AM ET

Women are not acing lifes balancing act.

No surprise, say experts. How can women feel balanced when our society places so much on their shoulders and then expects them to walk around and deal with it all - on stilettos no less?! says Susie Orman Schnall, mother of three young boys and author of the soon-to-be-released The Balance Project: A Novel.

Many women are struggling trying to do it all, have it all, and Make It Happen, which happens to be the theme of International Womens Day on March 8 and promotes womens equality and advancement.

But things are not equal on the home or work front, so personal balance is not happening. A new BMO study released in honour of International Womens Day 2015 indicates that fewer than half of Canadian women feel theyve achieved work-life balance. Only 31% say they get the needed support at home to attain home/work balance.

Women take on the lions share of household responsibilities, whether it is acting as primary caregiver for the children, doing housework or generally playing the role of chief operating officer of the family, says Julie Barker-Merz, spokesperson for BMO. Our study clearly indicates that many women are struggling with balancing their home and work lives and are seeking the active support of their spouses, children and employers in helping them do so.

Life is a tightrope for many working women, and they struggle to get a flawless grip on this unrealistic and unhealthy high wire act. Being the perfect mother and the perfect employee cant be achieved simultaneously without something falling through the cracks, says Schnall.

Feeling balanced is virtually impossible because of the prevailing reality of what most women actually have to contend with on a daily basis and the pressures that they are under from demanding bosses/industries, relentless social media, 24/7 connectivity, home/family life - lets face it, most women will always take on the lions share at home - and their own expectations of themselves to lead vibrant, successful, happy lives... Its almost laughable!

Schnall has interviewed countless working women for The Balance Project, an online interview series she founded. The goal is to feature authentic voices to show that all women are making sacrifices, that all women struggle, and that women arent alone facing the challenge of trying to juggle work, family, and self.

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International Women's day sheds light on reality