Pre-reading questions:
- Is it common for working fathers to take parental leaves?
- Should women be given more parental leaves?
- What comes to mind when you hear the womenomics?
Some Japanese companies have initiated a remarkable shift in giving support to working mothers. Perhaps influenced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s womenomics agenda, certain companies have started giving more benefits to working mothers to increase their participation in the workforce. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made increasing women’s labor force participation one of the most important factors of his economic plan.
For example, one company has recommended its working fathers to take parental leave. This company has also encouraged working fathers who take parental leaves to share their stories from their time on leave. If more working fathers would be more active in taking care of their children, working mothers can also have the chance to pursue their careers.
Vocabulary:
initiate [verb] – to start; to begin
remarkable [adjective] – amazing; wonderful
womenomics [noun] – the idea that companies run by women, or with a lot of women in senior positions, are more likely to be successful
workforce [noun] – the people engaged in or available for work
pursue [verb] – follow (something or someone); achieve (something)
Comprehension Questions:
- What is the article about?
- What influenced some Japanese companies to start giving more benefits to working mothers?
- What is one of the most important factors of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s economic plan?
- What has one company encouraged its employees to do recently?
- What can working mothers do if working fathers would be more active in taking care of their children?
Express Your Opinion:
- Describe a mother in five words, and explain each.
- What do you think of working mothers?
- What qualities of mothers are good for business?