Sir, - As a mother of two who works outside the home I am more than a little annoyed at the one-sided nature of the current debate. The views of these working mothers are simply not being heard.
A very simple example will clearly show that it is the mother who goes out to work that is discriminated against by the present system.
Suppose a couple with two small children at home has the following choice. Assume one of the partners is currently earning £25,000 and the other is working in the home. If the second partner is offered a job for approximately the same amount, then the net take-home pay is in the region of £12,500. This couple then faces the additional costs of paying for child-minding and perhaps a cleaner. Suppose these costs come to £800 a month. The net gain to the couple is in the region of £3,900, a mere £320 or so a month. Transport costs could reduce this amount by even more.
If, instead, the earner on £25,000 is offered an additional £25,000 and the second partner decides to stay at home, the net gain to the couple is £12,500. Is this really fair to couples both of whom work outside the home?
The mother in the home understands economics! Perhaps this might explain the current hysteria. - Yours, etc.
Dr Cora Stack, Morell Lawns, Naas, Co Kildare.