“You just can’t work concentrated”
Denise’s story is just one example of many. It symbolizes all the mothers “who report a high level of stress”, as Heike Ohlbrecht says. In the first lockdown, the sociologist carried out a large online survey, which also looked at the well-being of working from home.
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One finding: “For women, what we call double burden is very noticeable. They have to look after the children, manage the household, often cook for the man who is also in the home office, do homeschooling and social contacts manage over the phone and otherwise to the family members who are currently not allowed to meet. ”
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A lot for a person. Too much, says Denise: “You just can’t work that concentrated in the home office,” says the mother of two primary school children. “Telephoning is also very difficult.” Because the children want to be kept busy and above all need support with homeschooling. “The school really tries and we are technically well equipped,” says the 36-year-old, “but the children are not at all prepared to work with the programs. They just need help.”
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Her husband is also encouraged by his employer to work in the home office. They split up the housework and childcare as best they can – it is only as a rule that the old gender roles more or less prevail, she says. Denise is happy if she can spend a day or two in the office.
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