The invisible labour of new mothers on maternity leave in a global pandemic

Pandeli, Jenna; Tarrabain, Chloe; Khan, Mahwish

Abstract

This report examines how the Covid-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped mothers' experiences during maternity leave, with a particular focus on the invisible labour they perform. Invisible labour, often unacknowledged and uncompensated, is a significant yet overlooked aspect of motherhood, encompassing physical, emotional, and mental work. Based on interviews with 16 women who experienced maternity leave during the pandemic, the report highlights the increased burden of invisible labour during this period, as mothers navigated isolation, lack of support, and heightened emotional and physical challenges. The findings reveal key themes including the struggle to balance expectations with reality, the impact of social isolation, and the relentless pressures of early motherhood. The report argues that the pandemic amplified these challenges, forcing mothers into extreme situations of invisible labour. The research concludes with several recommendations to address these issues, including the creation of supportive communities, greater flexibility for returning mothers, and proactive involvement from families to distribute caregiving responsibilities more equitably.

• Report Type: Research Report
• Online Publication Date: Jan 23, 2024
• Publication Date: Jan 23, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 17, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 12, 2025
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/12115887
• Publisher URL: https://blogs.uwe.ac.uk...our-of-maternity-leave/