Challenges of the 21st Century: Women's Work-Life Balance in Mexico

In 21st century, in Mexico women face challenges to balance their labor and personal life. The literature mentions that although there are certain actions that contribute to the well-being of women, in general there are still large gender differences. The big burden of family responsibilities influences women’s health and professional development, limiting their time, therefore is vital that public policies are implemented focused in labor flexibility to improve their quality of life. This research is qualitative and studied 187 women in the State of Guanajuato in Mexico, from 18 to 54 years old, who are currently working or had worked before, evaluating six dimensions: reward, work-personal life interference, parenting, healthcare, household chores and leisure time. Results revealed that women had challenges to maintain a balance between their labor and personal life, especially those who are working mothers. The lack of labor flexibility combined with social pressure, as well as the persistence of dissatisfaction related to gender roles, discrimination and limited opportunities for professional devolvement makes it complex women’s lives in Mexico. Most of the participants stated that they can only achieve work-life balance if they receive assistance from their support network including relatives and superiors at work. The study revealed that even though there are many efforts to achieve gender equity, society still faces big burdens in terms of cultural and social barriers, where the “empowerment of women†has become “modern slavery†.  JEL classification numbers: M12, M14, M51, M52.