Many mothers are carrying the weight of both childcare and eldercare while attempting to remain financially resilient in an increasingly demanding economy.
PETALING JAYA: Modern motherhood is no longer confined to raising children, with many women today forced to juggle careers, caregiving duties, household responsibilities and mounting financial pressures all at once.
As living costs rise and family structures evolve, many mothers are carrying the weight of both childcare and eldercare while attempting to remain financially resilient in an increasingly demanding economy.
PKR Women’s chief for Penang Jayanti Kandayah said women today are expected to balance multiple responsibilities, from careers and family commitments to caregiving and community work.
The women’s advocate, who is pursuing doctoral studies while helping care for her 85 year-old mother alongside her sister, said strong family and community support systems are crucial for working women and caregivers.
Jayanti, who is in her 50s, said more parents were becoming financially independent and preparing for retirement as increasing numbers of children sought opportunities abroad.
Her daughters are currently based in Canada and Australia.
She also stressed the need for greater female representation in leadership roles. “It is still male-dominated, whether in the corporate sector or politics,” she said, adding that women should continue uplifting and supporting one another.
Among the initiatives she is involved in are free English classes for children and tailoring programmes aimed at helping women achieve financial independence.
Despite greater opportunities for women today, caregiving and domestic responsibilities continue to fall disproportionately on women. In neighbouring Singapore, a 10-week shared parental leave scheme was recently introduced, with family associations saying the move encourages fathers to play a more active role in parenting responsibilities traditionally shouldered by mothers.
For 31-year-old Hon Jia Hui, motherhood has brought a new set of challenges. The stay-at-home mother, who recently gave birth to her first child, said she remained hopeful despite the growing financial burden of raising a family.
“Raising children is difficult. Everything is expensive now, from diapers and formula to medical check-ups.”
Hon said motherhood had reshaped her priorities, with every financial decision now centred on her child’s future and wellbeing.
Reflecting on her relationship with her own mother, she quoted a Chinese proverb: “How can the heart of a small blade of grass repay the warmth of spring?”
She was referring to the sacrifices mothers make for their children.
Carol Lee, 61, frequently travels to Singapore to help care for her son’s three children.
“They just had their third baby, and I go there to help the young couple out,” she said.
Between visits, Lee runs a limousine service ferrying tourists around Penang, saying the flexible nature of the job allows her to manage her responsibilities.
“I am proud of all my children,” said Lee, who has three adult children. “And I am proud of myself too.”
Beyond financial pressures, some young couples are delaying parenthood or opting to have fewer children due to career priorities, economic uncertainty and changing lifestyles, particularly in urban areas.
According to the Statistics Department, the country’s total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman, with Penang and Kuala Lumpur recording among the nation’s lowest fertility rates at about 1.2 to 1.3 children per woman.
Many middle-aged women are also part of the “sandwich generation”, simultaneously caring for children and ageing parents.
The strain mirrors trends seen in rapidly ageing societies such as China, where the “4-2 1” family structure refers to one child supporting two parents and four grandparents.
Women’s groups have increasingly called for more flexible workplaces, stronger childcare support and improved parental leave policies as families navigate rising costs and shifting social expectations.
