Midwife’s leaflet sparks controversy in Hungary

Midwife advice leaflet stirs controversy: should expectant mothers really be prepping meals and ironing shirts for their husbands, or is it time for a more modern approach to family support? Momentum politician shares her thoughts in a Facebook post, State Secretary for Health reacts.

Outdated advice from a midwife’s handout?

Blikk reports that a recent social media discussion has highlighted advice given in a midwife’s leaflet to pregnant women, suggesting they prepare meals and iron clothes for their husbands before going into the hospital. This guidance, provided by a midwife, has sparked debate, with Szeged-based Momentum politician Noémi Halász criticising it as outdated. Halász argues that in today’s world, where many women work and contribute equally to household income, domestic responsibilities should be shared more equitably. She contends that while family support has traditionally helped mothers, relying solely on the mother-to-be to maintain the home is no longer practical or fair.

Supporting women

Halász emphasises the significant physical, psychological, and hormonal challenges that come with motherhood, suggesting it’s crucial for family members to support the new mother instead of adding to her burdens. Reflecting on past practices, she acknowledges that previous generations could lean on extended family or community support; however, today’s working mothers deserve a self-sufficient household where everyone contributes to chores. This modern approach, she insists, respects the realities of contemporary family life and the evolving role of women, making shared responsibility vital in ensuring new mothers can focus on recovery and bonding with their newborns.

What do men think about this?

Some men found the advice from the midwife’s leaflet outdated and offensive, suggesting it reinforces unfair stereotypes about gender roles within the household. Others pointed out that men, too, increasingly take active roles in caregiving and household duties, with some even involved in home births, challenging the leaflet’s assumptions about family dynamics.

Péter Takács, State Secretary for Health, also reacted to Halász’s Facebook post. He writes:

As you explain later, this leaflet is a private company publication, nothing to do with the government.
While I myself find the content outrageous, please remove the false context in the post. Indeed, what is written in the booklet in no way reflects the position of the health government. I myself will do my utmost to ensure that the network of midwives distributes only professionally correct, non-commercial and family-friendly publications to pregnant women.
With many thanks from a father of 5 who irons his own shirts.

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