HOW WOMEN ARE BEARING THE BURDEN OF THE PANDEMIC
Author: riaan@wecanchange.co.za
It’s an age-old saying: “Women are better at multi-tasking than men.” Since the pandemic hit our shores, with the resultant lockdown levels, this sweeping generalization has been tested; with millions of women being thrust into different roles at minimal
With International Women’s Day this month, we speak to two social workers who are members of the South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP), to discuss the ramifications lockdown has had on the very women we are celebrating.
Here are their opinions:
1. Change can be disruptive
Social worker Sandri Appelgryn explains that social workers often evaluate the impact of changes in the environment on the systemic functioning of families. “Women usually find themselves within many different subsystems in the family and their responsibilities therefore have multiple facets. Under normal circumstances, these responsibilities can be managed via specific routines, resources and support systems in place but these systems were completely disrupted as a result of the lockdown,” says Appelgryn.
Women have actually experienced a higher demand on their skills as they were expected to adjust their normal living routines and take on new roles almost instantly. Over the past year, Sandri has seen an increase in women experiencing understandably high levels of stress on an ongoing basis which has led to heightened anxiety and feeling overwhelmed by their normal living routines. A recent South African study echoes this and asserts that lockdown contributed to marked increases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide in the population[1].
2. So much to do, so little time
Careers and personal goals aside, millions of women found themselves taking on additional family responsibilities such as homeschooling their children, maintaining their homes, cooking and feeding their families, trying to entertain their children at home, etc. – and the list goes on. Being isolated from their regular support systems such as lift clubs, school routines, set working hours, etc. for an indefinite period of time is bound to take its toll on even the most organized of people. The media will tell them how important it is for them to take care of “self”, but that can be challenging for those finding that too much of their time is required elsewhere.
In Appelgryn’s experience, fear for their loved ones’ safety and health has come up as the biggest contributing factor to the anxiety and stress in women. “The pandemic poses a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of our families. It is my opinion that other factors, such as navigating a work-life balance or economic insecurity, although important, come secondary to that.”
Social worker Dr Penny Kupa reminds us that South Africans were given almost no time to psychologically prepare for the ramifications of the lockdown such as restricted movements and social interactions. “While the more fortunate were able to use technology to stay connected, the reality is that only a small proportion of South Africa’s population has access to the internet on a daily basis”. says Dr Kupa. She explains that by their nature, families are intended to provide for the basic needs and support of their members, particularly for minors and the elderly. However, not all families are able to fulfill these needs and this is where the sense of community plays an essential role. Maintaining healthy and meaningful relationships is critical for women who may be feeling the weight of the world is upon their shoulders. “In addition to connecting with others, it is equally important to connect with self which can be done through meditation, reading, exercise or quiet time,” adds Dr Kupa.
3. Performance and self-esteem may be linked
Appelgryn has experienced a change in women’s overall self-esteem over this period however not all of it is for the worse. “I’ve observed women presenting an increased self-esteem due to the manner in which they used their stress response to adjust to the demands of their external environments. They were left with a sense of achievement and pride. Unfortunately, there was a decrease in self-esteem for those who were not able to cope as well, resulting in women feeling a sense of inadequacy and hopelessness. It therefore occurred to me that a woman’s ability to adjust to changes in her external environment could have a significant impact on her self-worth.”
Let us not forget that the need for belonging is third on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, behind physiological needs and safety[2]. Women need a sense of connection with family, friends and the rest of the community. “Taking into account the list of needs, it can be considered that women would have benefitted most during this time from having access to professional support which offered the necessary guidance on how women could access resources specific to the needs they presented with at any given time,” says Appelgryn.
4. Reach out if you need to
It is one of the truths in life that humans have the capacity to adjust to our circumstances. Stress and anxiety may feel uncomfortable and scary, but it is also often a way of naturally adapting to your changing environment. You are in survival mode, but don’t stop there because life is about living. As part of your self-care attempts, consider reaching out for professional support or make use of the free national helplines and clinics to access assistance in regaining perspective in your life.
Remember, you are not alone.
5. You’re doing better than you think
This is new territory for all of us and, with lockdown restrictions easing and vaccines rolling out, there is hope that a sense of normality might soon return. However, you and your family have had to adjust, commend yourself for it.
Let us celebrate the women in our lives this International Women’s Day.
BIOGRAPHY – Sandri Appelgryn
Sandri Appelgryn is a social worker with extensive experience in various fields of social work including hospital social work, correctional services, child protection and forensic social work. She has been working in private practice over the past eight years and is currently serving on the Gauteng Committee of the South African Association for Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP).
Much of her work is child-focused and entails pre-forensic assessments of children, forensic investigations in respect of allegations of sexual and physical abuse of children and investigations to determine the best interests of the children (relating to the primary care and residence of the children as well as mediation between affected parties).
Sandri’s career as a social worker began in the United Kingdom in 2004 and, after returning to South Africa, she practiced as a designated social worker for four years before transitioning to becoming a full-time social worker in private practice in 2013.
Sandri established her multi-professional practice, Living Links Wellness, in 2016. This practice offers the social work services listed above as well as other specialities such as psychology and occupational therapy in order to provide and maintain effective intervention plans.
Sandri is a registered social worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) and in 2018, became a partner of the SAFE Schools Initiative, which aims to offer specialized services to schools, their pupils and their staff. She holds a MA (Forensic Practice) degree from the North West University, where the title of her research study is: Psycho-social risks for children of mothers with a history of childhood sexual abuse. Sandri plans to extend her studies on this topic in a PHD study.
BIOGRAPHY - Dr Penny Viola Kupa
Dr Penny Kupa is a social worker in private practice and a member of the South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP). She is also a committee member of the Gauteng branch. She has a Doctoral degree in Social Work (UP), Honours Degree in Psychology (UNISA) and Management Advancement Programme certificate (Wits Business School).
She started her career working for public and non-governmental organisations (NGO’s) for 19 years where she acquired skills and experience in child protection services, working with the disabled, mental health and organisational management. This was followed by short stint in an Employee Wellness Company. She has been in private practice since 2008.
The private social work service focuses on counselling to individuals, couples and families, healthcare social work services, HIV/AIDS training, counselling and support and Employee Wellbeing Services (psychosocial support). The main goal of the service is to assist, support and equip clients with tools and techniques that nurture self-awareness, self - confidence and growth.
.Competencies and interest areas
·Healthcare social work services, mainly psychosocial support for the patient and family from diagnosis of illness and adjustment to the illness (treatment and living positively with the illness).
·Self-care for lay and professional healthcare workers.
·Couple/ marital counselling.
·HIV and AIDS training, counseling and support for adults and children.
·Parental support and guidance with challenging childhood and adolescent behaviours.
Penny is married with 3 adult children and a grandson.