You can also be a professor with children.

The scientist Sonja Perren grew up in the canton of Valais. There, a traditional division of roles between mother and father shaped everyday life and her belief that as a woman, one could only choose between family or career. This only changed after she moved to the city, where she met professors with children at the university. A conversation about the expectations of others and the importance of good childcare.

Prof. Perren, is life with children different in rural areas compared to urban environments?

From my point of view, I would say that was the case when I was growing up. There were different expectations about the division of tasks within the family. My mother did not work. When we children were at home, she was always there. My father was a teacher. This gave him a certain flexibility. Childcare, however, was primarily the responsibility of my mother. That was also expected by the environment at that time. There were hardly any childcare options in the villages. But a lot has been done. Today, you can also find an appropriate offer here, but still a much smaller one than in the cities. Nevertheless, I believe that after the birth of my children, I would not have returned to my profession quickly, but would have stayed at home longer, had I still lived in my home village at that time.

Did this role distribution shape you?

For a long time, I thought that as a woman, I would have to decide for one: children or career. I only understood that this was not necessary when I moved to the city for my scientific work at the university. The academic environment showed me it’s possible! There were several professors who had children. It takes a social environment that shows you that you can do both.

Were there still moments when you thought that both at the same time might not be possible?

No, never (laughs.) But I have felt the pressure of expectations from others. Unfortunately, there is still the expectation that the mother stays at home or works a maximum of part time. Even today, I am hardly asked what I actually do for work. This firmly rooted idea is really outdated by now.

What role did good childcare options play for you and your family?

A very big one. I returned to my full-time profession relatively quickly after the birth of our first daughter. For my husband, it was never an issue whether I stayed at home. Instead, it was natural for me to resume my work at the university. This support from the partner is very important. After the birth of the second daughter, I reduced my working hours for three years. Both children went to childcare quickly. Also, one of the grandmothers intensively supported us in the care. The childcare made it possible for me to pursue my profession and do justice to my family.

Do you have any advice for young mothers?

Don’t lose faith that both are possible. Stay flexible, look for solutions, and above all: find a good care situation for your child. It is important that you are sure that your child feels comfortable here and that the childcare offers high quality. Good quality gives a good feeling.

You yourself research the question of how, among other things, this quality affects the social and emotional development of children. What makes for good quality in a childcare?

I would like to answer this question from a personal and a scientific perspective. Let’s start with my subjective view. It’s important that the childcare is a good choice from the child’s perspective. This includes that the care for the child is predictable and continuous, so there are specific childcare days. It’s good if there aren’t too many caregivers, so the children can form a bond with them. And for me, it was always the gut feeling that I had as a mother that was decisive. Looking back, I can identify situations, for example at mealtime, where I simply accepted the way the childcare handled it. I thought my child had to go through that. I would not accept that today. Mothers should dare to speak up if they feel uncomfortable with something. Good childcares are always open to all concerns of parents. This also means that the doors of the childcare are literally open to mothers and fathers. For example, being allowed to really go into the rooms when dropping off and picking up or being allowed to observe regularly. Good childcares offer the child the opportunity to learn and develop. It is not just “looked after”.

And what does the scientific view say?

I examine, to put it simply, the social and emotional development of children aged three to six. I am particularly interested in two factors that influence this: one is the influence of playmates. The other, as already mentioned, is the quality of the childcare. Here, quality is mainly characterized by emotional and behavioral support and active learning support. Children should feel comfortable in the care and receive emotional support from the caregivers. That is important. On the other hand, the childcare environment should be designed so that the child has experiential worlds where they can learn in an age-appropriate way. The caregivers are there for the child and accompany them through these worlds. The interaction with them is not only emotionally supportive but also educational.

Looking into the future, what will childcare look like in 10 years?

I hope that the understanding that childcare is also about childhood education becomes even more widespread. A childcare is an educational institution that has a task. I think that care will become even more professional and the overall quality of childcare will increase. A lot has already changed. And I hope for more recognition for the profession of caregiver. This is often laughed off as “playing with children”, yet it is such an important phase of the kids’ lives. Accompanying them is an important, responsible and privileged activity.

“The childcare made it possible for me to pursue my profession and do justice to my family.”