Why Are Working Mothers Still Expected to Do It All?

The film Before We Fell Asleep follows Chinazo and Tola as they raise their daughter, Feyisola, after Tola loses his job. Chinazo becomes the family’s main earner, but the change exposes the pressure men can feel when they are no longer expected to provide. Even as Chinazo takes on the financial burden, her responsibilities at home remain unchanged. She is still expected to be constantly available to her child, cook, clean and manage the household, despite her demanding job. The story highlights how working mothers are often judged more harshly than fathers who work long hours. The film asks why a mother’s devotion is measured by how much of herself she gives up. Chinazo can provide for her family, care for her child and still deserve space for her career, ambitions and personal needs. Her success should not be treated as Tola’s failure, and parenting responsibilities should be shared fairly.

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