How childbirth delivers a career blow to women
WOMEN are less likely to progress at work following the birth of a child compared to men, according to a study.
Researchers followed how childbirth affected employment and career progression in more than 3,500 new parents.
They found only 27.8 per cent of women were in full-time or self-employed work three years after childbirth, compared to 90 per cent of new fathers.
Just over a quarter of men (26 per cent) were also promoted or moved to a better job in the five years after their baby was born.The figure was 13 per cent for women.
The team from two universities tracked 2,281 new mothers and 1,687 fathers in the report for the Government Equalities Office.
Professor Susan Harkness, from the School of Policy Studies at the University of Bristol, said: “The results of our study highlight how gendered employment patterns are following childbirth, with men typically remaining in full-time work and women leaving full-time work.
“Worryingly, it appears that women who return to employment typically see their chance of moving up the occupational ladder decrease.”
Dr Alina Pelikh, from the University of Essex, added: “The patterns we’ve observed are unlikely to be reversed as children grow older.”
IT ALL started on Facebook. There was I, enjoying a short break in St Ives, humblebragging by posting pictures of me looking smug, when my friend and colleague Jane Warren mentioned that she stays in a youth hostel every summer en-route to the nearby Isles of Scilly.
“Youth hostel!” said another FB friend. “You’re suggesting Virginia stays in a youth hostel? Ha ha!”
“I think she would like it,” said Jane. “She could label her pink champagne and put it in the fridge.”
I am stung. I can do youth hostelling. I am determined to prove it.
Jane points me to a YHA facility she knows in the South Downs. Scenic.Accessible. Handy for London (just in case I need to bale).
But first to check out the facilities. “Is there a spa?” “No.” “A hot tub?” “NO.” “Maybe just a teeny gourmet experience in which I learn to cook before sampling a Michelinstarred culinary sensation?”
“It’s youth hostelling in the South Downs. Fresh air. Simple food. Camaraderie. Do you good.”
Now Britain is a beautiful place, with many fine vistas, but the last time I looked, the South Downs were distinctly rural, and I don’t trust trees.
I’ve never stayed in a youth hostel, not even when I was a youth, and although I’m sure there’s a great deal to recommend them, I gather they don’t do room service.
And I’m a girl whose favourite phrase in the whole of the English language is: “Charge it to my room.” “Are you sure about this?” I ask. Jane is sure. “Get your walking shoes,” she says. “You will yomp.” “I will what?”
“You will yomp.”
I don’t actually own any walking shoes but my Christian Louboutins are very well made, so I fling a few pairs of stilettos into my bag.
Jane also tells me it’s self-catering, which is not a concept I’m familiar with, but I think it means I have to take my pink champagne with me, so that goes into the case too.
Eventually I alight at Southease station, a teensy, tiny little place 10 minutes away from the medieval Southease village in East Sussex and very close to YHA South Downs.
It’s a 13th-century former farm house which was converted into a youth hostel and opened by the Queen in 2014. The Queen! This is beginning to sound more me. Usually when travelling I like to arrange a transfer from the airport, but that option wasn’t available from Southease.
Also, I’m beginning to discover that high heels and a wheelie suitcase are not totally suited to a path which is not so much paved concrete as flagstones that also appear to date back to the 13th century.
Various people hike past wearing trainers and carrying rucksacks. “The hostel has camping pods as well as yurts,” Jane tells me. Yurts. That it should have to this.
The hostel itself, Itford Farm, is spectacular. You approach from the back but round to the front where the yurts and the wild things are, you will see the most stunning façade dating back to medieval times.
Part of it was once a chapel and inside there is a huge fireplace which would make the most spectacular centrepiece for a big family celebration dinner. And indeed you can hire the whole place out. The yurts are, however, not real nomadic animal skin dwellings but bell tents. Here’s what I didn’t know about youth hostels: they get rated on TripAdvisor and this one has a 4.5-star excellent showing, scoring very highly on location, cleanliness, service and value.
Yes, service! While it can be selfcatering, there’s also a restaurantcum-café, the rooms are made up for new arrivals and if yomping is your thing, we’re right on the South Downs Way National Trail.
Ncome O NIGHTCLUBS, though, and we’re a long way from Harvey Nichols. But hey! I’m adventuring. Never too old to stay in a youth hostel.
On which note, there really are all ages here, from young parents to what we might term seniors. The restaurant, while serving delicious food, does not stock pink champagne, so I put mine in the communal fridge and carefully label it, just as you’re supposed to do, so other people won’t mistake it for their pink champagne.
I sneak a look into other people’s carefully labelled food containers. There’s a lot of pasta here, which is