CAREER VS. CARE: DO WORKPLACE EMPOWER OR LIMIT PREGNANT WOMEN AND SINGLE MOTHERS

AUTHOR – MS. N PRIYA PARVATHY, STUDENT AT SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, TNDALU

BEST CITATION – MS. N PRIYA PARVATHY, CAREER VS. CARE: DO WORKPLACE EMPOWER OR LIMIT PREGNANT WOMEN AND SINGLE MOTHERS, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 4 (2) OF 2025, PG. 529-542, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

ABSTRACT:

In Indias growing workplace, Pregnant women and single mothers face challenges that limit their equal participation and access to lot of opportunities, and it often creates a intersection between career aspirations and care giving responsibilities. Although laws like the maternity benefit Act aim to protect women, most working mother do not benefit from them due to weak enforcement and especially for women in informal sector where 94% mostly don’t receive maternity related benefits. Pregnant employees often experience bias during recruitment, are given physically unsuitable tasks, and are excluded from promotions after maternity leave. On the other hand, Single mothers in India are often stereotyped as socially disapproved or branded or labelled within their workplaces and communities leading to social exclusion and discrimination, they end up in unstable jobs where they don’t get much support for childcare or financial needs and are being judged socially or excluded them because society does not fully accept single parenting. The absence of support systems, limited access to mental health cares, and heavy caregiver duties causing emotional strain, isolation and low self-esteem among single mothers and pregnant women. Awareness of government welfare schemes is low only 40% of single mothers are aware of available support programs. The study focuses on challenges of both cultural bias and economic vulnerabilities faced by mothers in Indian corporate and informal sectors. It explores the impact of women with children experiencing substantial wage gaps and reduced career growth. The study aims to uncover how organizational policies and workplace culture either hinder or support the growth of working mothers. The findings highlight that the workplaces need to inclusive supportive HR policies, offer flexible work arrangements, and strict enforcement of existing legal protections, so that no women is made to sacrifice her dreams, ambitions or financial independence simply because she chooses motherhood. KEY WORDS:  Pregnant women, Single mothers, Workplace discrimination, Career vs. Caregiving, Motherhood penalty, Gender bias, Informal sector, Wage gap.