[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

―Ai, you've had the opportunity to work in various jobs in Switzerland, haven't you?

Yes, I've been in Switzerland for 14 years now, and during that time I've worked in restaurants, as an office worker in a department store, taught Japanese, and done all sorts of other jobs. I've noticed many differences between Switzerland and Japan, but "balancing work and childcare" has been a particularly thought-provoking theme for me.

―How did you start working in the first place?

I came to Switzerland in 2011 after getting married, but at that time I couldn't speak the language at all. However, I thought, "I need money for living expenses, and it would be faster to learn the language while working," so I took the initiative. The day after I arrived, I interviewed at a local Japanese restaurant and started working there.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

Changing work style after giving birth

—That's incredible initiative. And then you took a break from work when you gave birth to your child?

That's right. I took a break from work when I gave birth, but I soon started working as an online tutor teaching Japanese from home. I was exploring how to balance childcare and work, and I was flexible in changing my working style.

—Wasn't it difficult working from home?

To be honest, it was difficult. It's really hard to work from home while taking care of a child. But, nurseries in Switzerland are very expensive, so it would actually be a financial burden to send my child there.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

― How much does daycare cost?

It costs about 200,000 yen for two days a week. The more children you have, the more expensive it gets, so for a family like ours with four children, sending them to daycare isn't really realistic. Because of the high cost of childcare, I think it's quite common in Switzerland for parents to raise young children at home.

― And then you became a full-time housewife?

After my second child was born, I took a complete break from work and dedicated myself to raising my children. I hear that the number of "full-time housewives" is decreasing in Japan, but I feel like there are still many mothers who stay at home for extended periods in Switzerland. Many kindergartens and elementary schools don't have school lunches, so someone has to prepare lunch for the children. It seems like school lunches are becoming more common recently, but it's kind of like Japan a while ago, isn't it?

Resume work at your own pace

―I hear you've started working again a little now?

Yes. Right now I'm helping out from home with the import business my brother-in-law runs. My youngest child has started kindergarten, so I plan to increase my working hours a bit more in the future.

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

don't really feel that way. In Switzerland, I feel that working in a way that prioritizes family is naturally understood. In Japan, having a gap in your work history tends to be seen as a negative, but here, I feel that "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 work style is also flexible.

My husband works in accounting auditing, and he works from home two days a week. He's flexible in dealing with the children's illnesses and doctor's appointments, and he also helps with shopping and accompanying them to school, so I'm really grateful. My husband naturally helps with childcare.

Spending time with family is a given

— It seems that the relaxed work style throughout Switzerland also plays a role.

Yes. There is hardly any overtime, and you often see fathers taking their children to play in the park at 4 or 5 pm. Paid leave is also legally mandated to be taken for at least five weeks a year, and companies encourage its use. This relaxed work style itself may be a form of childcare support that is unique to Switzerland.

*The photo above is for illustrative purposes only.

― In that kind of environment, it must be easier for couples to cooperate, right?

That's right. It's not uncommon to see families where the father works three days a week and the mother works two days a week, taking turns looking after the children. Many couples adjust their work schedules to make time for family. Spending time with family while working isn't considered "special," but rather a "given."

― On the other hand, are there any challenges you see in the child-rearing environment in Switzerland?

Yes, there are. As I mentioned earlier, it's assumed that children eat lunch at home, and the school lunch system is still underdeveloped. Therefore, it's absolutely necessary to have an adult at home during the day. The costs of daycare and after-school care are also high, so even if both parents want to work, it's not realistically possible for some families.

Also, there seems to be a relatively strong value system that "women should stay at home." But I think the most important thing is the "choice." You can choose how to work to suit your life stage. And what's more, that choice isn't criticized by those around you. There's a sense of security in that.

Swiss landscape (provided by Ai)

[Overseas Parenting Column - Switzerland]
Vol. 1 A diverse international society - accepting differences and living together
Vol. 2 Pregnancy and childbirth experiences - rational and warm care supporting "postpartum care at home"
Vol. 3 Education that fosters "independence," "self-assertion," and "creativity"
Vol. 4 Living in a multicultural and natural environment
Vol. 5 Establishing clear "family rules"
Vol. 6 Re-examining "work" in daily life

Family Dialogue・Column