One ball at a time

Tennis player Sania Mirza has decided to get off the court and concentrate on family once she gets hitched to childhood buddie Sohrab Mirza. Here's what to keep in mind before you call it quits

Tennis player Sania Mirza has decided to get off the court and concentrate on family once she gets hitched to childhood buddie Sohrab Mirza. Here's what to keep in mind before you call it quits

So many superwomen. So many sacrifices. When it comes to India, many of our female stars call it quits on the career front once they decide to tie the knot.

From Jaya Bachchan to Madhuri Dixit, and now Sania Mirza, the trend hasn't died out.

Whether it's a voluntary move or one that involves having to toe the family line, women often forgo their ambitions when the time comes to raise a family.

Other than financial independence, which lends women a sense of self-worth, medical experts lay emphasis on how, while a working woman's health may take the brunt of stress and long hours, working outside the home actually increases their mental strength.
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Sania, who got engaged to Sohrab Mirza in July 2009, did not elaborate when she would tie the knot but said she would bid adieu to the game after marriage. Before getting engaged to Sania, Sohrab had said that she'd have complete freedom to make her career decisions, and that she had his support.

"A working wife tends to be mentally strong because she is in touch with the realities of life and demands of her profession.

If she masters the art of work-life balance, a career can do wonders not just for herself but her family too, for whom she'll act as role model," says Dr Sunita Dube, director, Aryan Group of Hospitals.

The Bright Side

The financial independence of a working wife helps reduce the financial burden, which might be felt by the man.
a Working husband and wife can better understand each other's work pressure. An increased disposable income leads to a better lifestyle.

But Then

Undoubtedly, a housewife can give more time to the family than a working wife.

Half the life goes justifying long working hours and graveyard shifts

Affects the kids' formative years since working parents can't supervise them.

6 Reasons Why You Should Rethink That Resignation

Research shows that working wives are less likely to suffer from depression.
They enjoy better health since they are physically active.
Financial independence tends to up your self-esteem.
Your work is a source of intellectual stimulation.
You develop enhanced problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
Since working women have a social support system in office, it helps them face loss of loved ones, failure, illness and other challenges better.

Before You Quit, Consider:

Your financial position
How old your kids are
Availability of jobs in your sphere
Support from your partner
Personal health
How passionate you are about your work

Vox Pop: Should Women Say Ta-Ta?

Tapur Chatterji, model: Whether or not a wife should quit her job should be her decision. Continuing in a job has practical, financial benefits. But yes, it does take a toll on the personal front, leaving her with little time. But I think it's easier to tackle if she has her partner's support.

Pooja Bedi, actor-anchor: Often, a dual income is necessary for a quality lifestyle. Even if she chooses to quit, she should find other avenues to keep her productivity intact; either take up hobby classes or pursue a sport or dance form so that she can continue to grow.

Salena Rathore, retail professional: My parents spent their hard-earned money to educate me, so it's not going to be fair to expect me to sit at home. Education has a purpose. If it's not put to use, and translated into a career, it's meaningless.

Amruta Patil, graphic designer: I wanted to quit my job after I got married, but my husband convinced me otherwise. He believed I had what it takes to excel in my career. Financial independence is secondary; the high of success is what you lose out on if
you quit.

In Bollywood

Rumour has it that actress Preity Zinta called off her relationship with Ness Wadia because he asked her to quit acting.

After sending a million male hearts aflutter, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander actress Pooja Bedi quit acting after she married now ex-husband Farhan Ebrahim.

Sridevi hasn't been seen in a project after she married director Boney Kapoor.

ILO Says Tendency Is High

A report from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), conducted among working women in the age group of 18-60, says 43% are unmarried, 29% divorced and 19% married. More than 45% of participants said they would quit their jobs either after marriage or childbirth.

The Japanese Just Have To Do It!

Japanese women are known to quit posts once they get married or pregnant, firstly, because it's a cultural trend, and because men prefer it that way.

There are very few nursery schools in Japan, most of them charging exorbitant fees. There is also no provision of paternity and paid maternity leave in Japan.