Synopsis
Self-employed people have chosen a career path in doing what they love. They’ve already accepted a life of precarious work and instability because their passions outweigh the risks. Their careers have defined them as a person, intrinsically linked with who they are and how they grow as a person.
When it comes to the life of a self-employed person, there’s an attitude of “you’ve made your bed, now lie in it” and even if the reward outweighs the risk, there are disparities in Ireland when it comes to the decision of having a family. The Irish Government funds female initiatives in order to gain some gender balance and equality, and at the same time is failing to provide an equal footing for a self-employed person on maternity leave. This can create a two way street, where a woman is forced to choose between her career and an identity that comes with that or having a family. This ultimately de-incentivises those very initiatives to give self-employed women a boost in their career and limits progressive impact in creating positive cultural change and equality in our society. Are we missing a trick?
This feature documentary will aim to follow women during their first
pregnancy and how the choices they have made and are making are changing their identity, business and perspectives on life, as well as the world around them.