A woman explaining why she would rather be at home with her children than to be in an office and commuting, makes about as much sense as a woman explaining why she prefers First Class to Coach.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Women Prefer To Stay At Home? I'm Shocked. What's Gotten Into Their Heads? Think What They're Giving Up?
A woman explaining why she would rather be at home with her children than to be in an office and commuting, makes about as much sense as a woman explaining why she prefers First Class to Coach.
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One of my girlfriends from law school made partner at her firm and has been groomed to inherit the entire practice area from the senior partner she works with. She just had a baby a few months ago and I asked her if she would return to work. Her response was, "only if they give me part time".
When I asked her what happens if they won't be flexible, she said she would quit.
Completely matter-of-fact about it, she explained that she already achieved the challenge of making partner and being a mother is the next challenge. I've never respected her more and it really impacted my view on the matter.
It makes sense. Let's examine a couple of underlying assumptions:
What is "partner" at a law firm? Really?
What does that look like each day?
Why would any woman "want" that?
I couldn't imagine a woman 'wanting' partner in a law firm, anymore than she would 'want' to be an insurance adjuster.
It's all paper and computers. What's the difference?
Hold on DV!
While I can certainly acknowledge how and why a woman may chose raising a family before having/maintaining a career, I think you've taken the judgment about 2 blocks too far.
You ask why would a woman want to be a partner in a law firm. I ask, why single out the woman? If the position is as generally mundane and cog-like as you believe it is, then why not question why ANYONE would want to be partner in a law firm, why you singling out the women??!!
But for the record....to answer your question, a woman would want to be partner in a lawfirm for the same reasons as a freakin' man. Its a top level position, arguably offered only to those that are most successful, intelligent and hardworking. It also pays great. Its not rocket science.
I agree with Robyn.
Yes being a mother is a wonderful blessing and yeah, i'd prefer to work part-time to have more time with my daughter, but you make it seem like women shouldn't be equally ambitious as men.
Women want to be the best the same as men do, it's just that it's natural for a woman to prioritize motherhood over profession on her list of things to be the best at.
Don't knock the women who are running things in the corporate world because a lot of the luxuries that you and I are afforded today are here because of a WOMAN THAT KICKED CORPORATE AMERICA'S BUTT.
Sistas Robyn & Kalena,
I hear what you are saying. I didn't intend to give the impression that women shouldn't be equally as ambitious as men.
I'm just challenging the object of that ambition. Ambition to DO what?
Not to BE something ... but to DO what?
"Being a partner in a law firm" is an abstraction. It's just a title. At the end of the day it's 8 hours in front of a computer screen, conference call, cells phone, starbucks and a commute. Just like an insurance adjuster.
Wealthy people have no desire to that. As people become more wealthy and better educated, inevitably their "ambition" to be corporate busy bees wanes.
My assertion is that a woman would rather stay at home with her children than work at a corporation because that is a more pleasurable, luxurious, option. Not because of some plebian duty.
Robyn,
You seem to be taking me to task for daring to suggest that women may have different propensities than do men.
I stand guilty as charged.
I don't know any male lawyers who "really, really love practicing law" any more than I know of any Real Estate agents who "really, really love selling houses."
Like everything. It's a living. The romanticized notions of "profession" and "career" are anachronistic. Even doctors say they hate their jobs. Can you blame them?
To you last points DV....
Then say "why would ANYONE want to be a partner in a lawfirm; they (not she) might as well be an insurance adjuster."
Nah. Actually, I do mean "she".
The USA Today story is about the "Attitude gap" between working moms and so-called "stay-at-home" moms.
I fully expect a young mom to be less inclined to practice law than I would a young dad.
Is that expectation off-base?
"I fully expect a young mom to be less inclined to practice law than I would a young dad.
Is that expectation off-base?"
Nope.
On the other note before that. I feel you.
I work part time as a development consultant. This allows me to spend quality time at home with my children.... I consider bringing up children as a very important job, one that is not very valued in most societies. The rewards is in seeing your chidren develop into healthy happy well adjusted adults.
Thia is not to say that chidren with mothers who work full time (outside the home) cannot have well adjusted chidren, but if money is not a real issue, why give birth to children then proceed to hire various strangers to bring them up?
"but if money is not a real issue, why give birth to children then proceed to hire various strangers to bring them up?"
Excellent question.
Another Anonymous in need of a nickname.
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It's Accra.... I forgot to sign my name.
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