The strain of being a woman

Women feel that have a tougher working lifestyle than men

Women are fed up with leading an unfulfilled social life, working long hours and worrying how they look, a survey by health and wellbeing magazine Top Sante has suggested.

BBC News Online asks a selection of women how they really feel about their role in British society.

Rachel Benton, 35, technical administrator, north-west England

In contrast to the survey's findings, Rachel feels that she leads a very happy and fulfilled life.

"I'm fortunate enough to work for a company that is committed to ensuring that all employees have a good work/life balance.

"As a result working hours are not a problem, and it's not a problem if I'm late, or need to leave early.

"I do my food shopping online, which means that I don't have to spend my free time rushing around a supermarket.

"It is my belief that it is only the individual who can make a difference to their lives by taking control and implementing the necessary changes that allow 'me' time.

"But then maybe I'm fortunate that my partner does most of the cooking and helps with the housework, if I ask him.

"We can all get stressed about being overweight, looking older, being tired, not earning enough, but compared to some of the problems that other people in the world face on a daily basis, it's small potatoes really."

Blanche Daulton, 54, secretary/PA, Herts

Blanche agrees that many women are fed up with their lifestyle, and she feels her daily life is very demanding.

"I feel as if I am constantly on a tread mill chasing my tail, despite not having children.

"I find it very hard to fit in a full time demanding job, running the home, looking after my husband and doing all the chores, which includes a properly cooked meal every evening.

"My job is not that hard but I always have to be at least one step ahead.

"I am extremely house proud so I have to leave the house immaculate before going to work every day.

"When I get home in the evenings around 6pm, I always seem to have chores to do and then supper to prepare for my husband coming home around 7.30pm.

"I think it is so sad that in this country we all have to work so hard just to be able to afford a modest home.

"I feel it very unfair that women who choose not to have children, or cannot have children, should not be allowed a couple of paid breaks instead of maternity leave."

Sue Wilkinson, 50, customer services assistant, York

Sue feels that her life is constantly faced by chores and she has very little time to relax.

"I feel claustrophobic. I'm indoors at work, shop indoors, get stuck with all the housework, most of the cooking and definitely all of the ironing.

"I work full time processing print and copy orders for university departments and my husband is a part-time teacher.

"Because I earn a little more than him I get the lion's share of the bills. My husband selects his favourite bits, doing the back garden, the Sunday roast and the Tuesday curry.

"I'm going out of my head. I can't afford the 'recovery time' after going out for a relaxing drink with work mates, and neither can they."

Sonia Thuery, 28, secretary, Oxford

Sonia claims that women have a much tougher lifestyle than men because men dominate the working environment.

"Women have got to prove themselves worthy of the job they are getting by overworking/multi-tasking.

"At my level, I have so many problems to solve, grant writing, administration of studentships, travel arrangements, website designs.

"There is also a lot of competition/stress between women if they have to work in a team environment.

"I do not have a family and being single is still a difficult thing to manage, especially when you are paid only £900 per month and half of it goes on rent.

"You got to have a social life and the expenses are putting a strain on my budget.

"The whole system is based on men being paid more at any given level, women are considered different, with different needs.

"Men dominate the work scene because they have the top level jobs."