Sunrise host Sam Armytage divides opinion with claim about working mothers

She’s no stranger to controversy, and Sunrise host Sam Armytage has divided opinion once again after sharing her view on how women are treated differently in the workplace if they’re married with children.

The 44-year-old journalist wrote in her column for Stellar magazine on Sunday that she’d been assigned more work than her female colleagues in the past simply because she was unmarried and childless.

Many readers took issue with the fact the opinion piece seemed to pit women against each other based on their family situation.

Controversy: Sunrise host Sam Armytage has divided opinion once again after sharing her view on how women are treated differently in the workplace if they’re married with children 

‘I think most bosses see the importance of raising a future generation,’ one person tweeted, while another wrote: ‘Thank you Sam you just pushed us back 30 years’. 

One Twitter user said they ‘struggled’ listening to the ‘wailing of celebrities’ who complain about their workplace despite being paid extraordinarily high salaries

‘Many would swap! Harsh industry, BOO!’ they added.  

'There was an expectation that Sam would do it': Speaking to Sunday's Stellar magazine, Samantha claimed that bosses had previously given her more work to do than her female co-workers simply because she was single and unmarried

‘There was an expectation that Sam would do it’: Speaking to Sunday’s Stellar magazine, Samantha claimed that bosses had previously given her more work to do than her female co-workers simply because she was single and unmarried

Hitting back: Many online fans took umbrage at the suggestion that workplaces shouldn't strive to accomodate women who are juggling family responsibilities

Hitting back: Many online fans took umbrage at the suggestion that workplaces shouldn’t strive to accomodate women who are juggling family responsibilities 

Another reader argued there was nothing ‘unfair’ about being asked to work on a project instead of someone with family obligations.  

‘I would cover a shift if it meant a busy mum got time to spend with her sick kid or see a ballet recital,’ they said.

One Facebook user said Sam should have instead written an article supporting her female colleagues who have children. 

'You just pushed us back 30 years': Some fans were outraged by Samantha's claims, claiming that her beliefs are antiquated and unrealistic

‘You just pushed us back 30 years’: Some fans were outraged by Samantha’s claims, claiming that her beliefs are antiquated and unrealistic 

Just good team management? Another fan argued that there is simply nothing 'unfair' about being asked to work on a project instead of someone who is less likely to be free

Just good team management? Another fan argued that there is simply nothing ‘unfair’ about being asked to work on a project instead of someone who is less likely to be free

‘What happened to women supporting women?’ they wrote.

Others suggested Sam was just trying to be controversial as she’s trying to promote her column and new podcast.

However, there were others who did agree with Sam’s argument.  

'Think it's time she left Sunrise': Others even suggested that the polarising presenter may have overstayed her welcome in the public eye

‘Think it’s time she left Sunrise’: Others even suggested that the polarising presenter may have overstayed her welcome in the public eye 

‘It’s only fair if you are doing the same job it should be equal,’ one wrote, expressing the view that a woman’s workload shouldn’t be decided by her marital status. 

Another agreed: ‘Why should smart people carry the load of other people’s lifestyle choices?’

Some unmarried, childless women said they’d experienced a similar type of prejudice in the workplace themselves. 

'If you are doing the same job it should be equal': However, there were others who did agree with Sam's argument.

‘If you are doing the same job it should be equal’: However, there were others who did agree with Sam’s argument.

‘This is not an extraordinary claim. This is fact… but only in the media and only with certain people’, one Twitter user wrote.

‘It’s a very harsh industry and I am glad to be out of it,’ they added.

In Sunday’s Stellar magazine, Samantha boldly claimed that ‘bosses don’t ask as much of you if you’re a wife or mother.’ 

In her defence: However, there were others who did agree with Sam's argument, with some women claiming they'd experienced a similar type of prejudice in the workplace themselves

In her defence: However, there were others who did agree with Sam’s argument, with some women claiming they’d experienced a similar type of prejudice in the workplace themselves

Taking a stand: Sunday's Stellar magazine, Samantha boldly claimed that 'bnosses don't ask as much of you if you're a wife or mother'

Taking a stand: Sunday’s Stellar magazine, Samantha boldly claimed that ‘bnosses don’t ask as much of you if you’re a wife or mother’ 

She wrote: ‘I’ve never shied away from hard work, but there was an expectation that Sam would do it because she’s got nothing else going on. 

‘[Sometimes I’d think], “Well, actually, I’d get something else going on if you didn’t make me do this,”‘ she added. 

Sam, who married horse breeder Richard Lavender on New Year’s Eve, also said that women working in TV have put on a ‘masculine’ facade to avoid ‘getting trodden on’.

Strong: Samantha, who quietly wed equestrian businessman Richard Lavender (left) on New Years Eve, also claimed that women working in the TV world are forced to put on a 'masculine' facade to avoid 'getting trodden on'

Strong: Samantha, who quietly wed equestrian businessman Richard Lavender (left) on New Years Eve, also claimed that women working in the TV world are forced to put on a ‘masculine’ facade to avoid ‘getting trodden on’ 

However, Sam believes she’s never caved to this expectation, and has always maintained a strong level of empathy and femininity in the newsroom.

The candid admission comes after Sam told The Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this month she had thought about retirement. 

She said that while she was still under contract at Seven, she hadn’t ruled out giving up her TV career for a quiet life in the Southern Highlands. 

Change of pace? Earlier this month, she said that while she was still under contract at Sevn, she hadn't ruled out giving up her TV career for a quiet life in the Southern Highlands

Change of pace? Earlier this month, she said that while she was still under contract at Seven, she hadn’t ruled out giving up her TV career for a quiet life in the Southern Highlands. Pictured with Sunrise’s David ‘Kochie’ Koch 

The media personality said she was ‘very happy’ in her job but could ‘easily’ see herself embracing country life ‘down the track’.  

Radio host Jackie ‘O’ Henderson observed: ‘I get the feeling, Sam, that you’re going to give this up next contract or something. Do you ever see yourself doing that [retiring to the country]?’

Sam replied: ‘Oh yeah, I think down the track I could, easily.’

When quizzed on whether she would miss working in television, Sam offered a thoughtful response.

‘I do wonder… there’s a lot of adrenaline in television. Anything that’s live there’s a lot of adrenaline. Sometimes I wonder… but by the same token you don’t want that adrenaline all the time,’ she said.

‘And you know, I’ve been a journo for 22 years. I’m very old,’ she added.