Gender-Related Issues Among Women Raising Children: A Cross-Sectional Study Comparing Pre- and Post-pandemic Experiences

Background Despite being embraced worldwide, gender equality in childcare activities has not yet been achieved. Pandemics can negatively affect the health of women engaged in child-rearing. We surveyed women raising children both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of stress and fatigue levels in women through a comparison of surveys conducted before and after the pandemic and to determine the childcare requirements necessary for women to play an active role in society and achieve gender equality. Methods The surveys were conducted in 2017 and 2021. The target population consisted of 150 women with children aged 0-3 years. The survey items included basic attributes, situations in which they felt angry while raising their children, and degree of fatigue. To compare the data before and after the pandemic, a chi-square test, no correspondence t-test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test were conducted on the survey items for the 2017 and 2021 groups. Results The average age of the mothers before and after the pandemic was 33 years, and most were from nuclear families. They relied on childcare support for more than an hour's drive. The number of women who worked or took childcare leave increased significantly after the pandemic (p=0.025). There were no significant differences in stress or fatigue levels before and after the pandemic. A lower number of women became angry when their children cluttered up the house (p=0.031) or were difficult when it was time to go home (p=0.008) after the pandemic. Conclusions Women's stress and fatigue did not differ during the pandemic, and fewer women became angry about their children after the pandemic. Women raising children had lack of sleep and fatigue accumulation regardless of the pandemic. It is important for couples to discuss maternal fatigue on an ongoing basis, beginning when planning pregnancy. Rapid resolution of the challenges women face in raising children will achieve gender equality.