[Voices of Japanese Parents Abroad_Switzerland Vol.6] Rethinking “Work” in Everyday Life

Ai (not her real name) is raising four children in Switzerland. Rather than "raising children while working," she "works while raising children." She seems to cherish both her work and her children

I had an interview the day after I arrived

-
You've had a variety of jobs in Switzerland, haven't you?
Yes, I've been in Switzerland for 14 years now, and during that time I've worked in a restaurant, as an office worker at a department store, taught Japanese, and held a variety of other jobs. I've noticed many differences between Japan and Switzerland, but the theme of "balancing work and child-rearing" was one that particularly made me think.

- How did you first start working?

I came to Switzerland in 2011 after getting married, but at the time I couldn't speak the language at all. However, I thought, "I need money to live on, and it would be quicker to learn the language while working," so I took the initiative. The day after I arrived, I had an interview at a local Japanese restaurant and started working.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

Changing work style after giving birth

- You have incredible initiative. And then you left work when you had your child?

That's right. I left work when I gave birth, but immediately started working as an online Japanese teacher from home. I tried to find my own way to balance childcare and work, and changed my working style flexibly.

- Was it difficult working from home?

To be honest, it was difficult. It's really hard to look after children while working from home. But nurseries in Switzerland are very expensive, so it actually ends up being a loss if you leave your child there.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

- How much does nursery school cost?

It costs about 200,000 yen for two days a week. The cost increases with the number of children, so for a family like ours with four, it's not realistic to send our child to nursery school. Because childcare fees are expensive, I think it's pretty common in Switzerland for parents to raise young children at home.

- And then you became a full-time housewife?

Around the time my second child was born, I took a full-time leave of absence from work to focus on raising my child. I hear the number of "full-time housewives" is decreasing in Japan, but I feel like there are still many mothers in Switzerland who stay at home long-term. Many kindergartens and elementary schools don't provide school lunches, so someone has to prepare lunch for the kids. It seems like school lunches are becoming more common recently, but it still feels like Japan was a generation ago.

Resume work at your own pace

-Have you resumed work a little bit now?

Yes. I'm currently helping my brother-in-law with his import business from home. My youngest child has started kindergarten, so I plan to work a few more hours in the future.

-Was it difficult to go back to work after being a full-time housewife? I

didn't really feel that way. In Switzerland, it seems like a work style that prioritizes family is naturally understood. In Japan, a gap in work history is often seen as a negative, but here, it seems like "prioritizing family" is naturally accepted. I'm really grateful to have an environment where I can work at my own pace.

-I heard that your husband's working style is also flexible.

My husband works as an accountant, but he works from home two days a week. He's flexible when it comes to our child's illnesses and medical appointments, and he helps out by taking us shopping and taking us to school, so it's really helpful. My husband naturally helps me with raising our child.

Spending time with family is a given

-- The relaxed working style in Switzerland as a whole seems to have something to do with it.

Yes. There is almost no overtime, and it's common to see fathers letting their children play in the park at 4 or 5 in the afternoon. Employees are legally required to take at least five weeks of paid leave per year, and companies encourage them to take it. The relaxed working style itself may be a form of childcare support that is uniquely Swiss.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

-- In that kind of environment, it must be easier for couples to cooperate.

Yes, that's true. It's not uncommon for a father to work three days a week and a mother to work two days a week, taking turns looking after the kids. Many couples adjust their work schedules to create time for their family. Spending time with family while working isn't "special," it's "the norm."

-- On the other hand, do you feel there are any challenges with the child-rearing environment in Switzerland?

Yes, there are. As I mentioned earlier, it's assumed that children eat lunch at home at school, and the school lunch system is still in its infancy. This means that an adult at home during the day is essential. Nursery school and after-school care are expensive, making it difficult for some families to have both parents working.

I also feel that the value that "women should stay at home" is relatively strong. But I think the most important thing is "choice." You can choose your work style to suit your life stage. And that choice won't be criticized by those around you. There's a sense of security there.

Swiss landscape (provided by Ai)

[Overseas Child Rearing Column_Switzerland]
Vol.1 A cosmopolitan society - accepting differences and living together
Vol.2 Experiences of pregnancy and childbirth - "Postpartum at home" supported by rational and warm care
Vol.3 Education that fosters "independence," "self-assertion," and "creativity"
Vol.4 Daily life in a "multicultural" and "natural" world
Vol.5 Firmly deciding "family rules"
Vol.6 Rethinking “Work” in Everyday Life

Family Dialogue・Column