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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
In response to the recent furor amongst some academics over what would appear to be rather innocuous comments concerning men and women's scholastic and business capabilities, I thought it would be interesting to note how two unlikely heralds of political correctness finally stepped up and simply reported the truth. TIME Magazine ran a cover story titled, The Case For Staying Home – Why more young moms are opting out of the rat race F1 ; while The New York Times Magazine asked on it's cover, Why Don't More Women Get To The Top?, answering boldly – They Choose Not To. F2
Claudia Wallis' article, The Case For Staying Home, attempts to uncover the motivation compelling some women to choose home over the workplace; it's really quite simple – caught between the pressure of the workplace and the demands of being a mom, more women are choosing the kids. F3 In it she mentions Psychologist Daphne de Marneffe's new book, Maternal Design; which argues convincingly that feminists and American society as a whole have ignored the basic maternal instinct that most women feel to have children as well as the urge to meaningfully care for them. The fragmented time presently allotted to them is often inadequate to their proper care and unsatisfying to the parent. Yet in an attempt at evenhanded reporting she does mention the struggle to develop a new identity along with the loss of income as difficulties many experience who make this choice.
The truth of the matter is that for many women, working doesn't seem to be an option. 72% of women with kids under 18 are now in the work force, in part due to downsizing, lay-offs and administrative re-organizations that are putting husbands out of work. Yet oddly enough, it is among the professional and managerial classes where the "revolt" is most evident, higher incomes causing more significant losses and adjustments if given up but creating more choices as well; prompting some women to choose lighter workloads or part-time jobs until the kids are older or raised. The new mantra is becoming: You can have it all, just not all at the same time in seeking a work-family balance. Ms. Belkin of the NYT Magazine article summarized: "There is nothing wrong with money or power. But they come at a high price. And lately when women talk about success they use words like satisfaction, balance, and sanity." F4
My personal caution here would be that many men and women force these situations on themselves by not being sensible in their expectations, thereby placing themselves in a position where both parties must work merely to pay the bills - to survive. It really often is a matter of priorities. What's more important – a bigger house, newer car, more conveniences and toys or your child's upbringing, safety and personal guidance only a parent can bestow?
Census data reveal the turnaround graphically. 22% of moms holding graduate or professional degrees, the very women seemingly destined to break through the so-called glass ceiling a few years ago, are now home with the kids. Ms. Belkin reports that her investigation revealed, "Many high powered women today don't ever hit the glass ceiling… (Yet) it's not just that the workplace has failed women. It is also that women are rejecting the workplace."; regularly choosing to leave for motherhood.
In 1971,9% of medical degrees, 7% of law degrees, and 4% of M.B.A.s were awarded to women; 30 years later those figures are 43%, 47%, and 41% respectively; and yet a Catalyst survey shows 1 in 3 women with M.B.A.'s not working full time. Says author Sylvia Hewitt of Columbia University, "What we have discovered… over the last five years is that many women who have any kind of choice are opting out."
Some still ask – Why? On the brink of what the world trumpets as success, why are women choosing home and motherhood? Ms. Belkin argues that "the barriers of 40 years ago are down," pointing out that women are as likely to be in the majority as in the minority of graduating classes at schools like Yale, Berkeley, Harvard, Columbia, and Princeton. "They are recruited by top firms in all fields. They start strong out of the gate. And then, suddenly, they stop;" acknowledging that some see this as a revolution stalled, creating a new generational split and a step backward. Others see it as a step back in time to a sensibility anchored in love and respect for one's family and surroundings, allowing for a giant leap forward – kind of like a back to the future type thing!
The reality is that along with the ebb and flow of time and values, today's GenXers – those individuals born between 1965 – 1979 and beyond, have decided they don't want to be defined or confined by the parameters of the workplace. Another Catalyst survey, conducted in 2001 confirmed that many young people today don't want to make the trade-offs the previous generation made in pursuit of workplace success. They're rejecting the stresses and sacrifices; both women and men rating personal and family goals higher than career goals.
Neither these findings nor this article should be misconstrued as being anti-work or anti-career. It is however a call for balance, priorities and a Godly lifestyle; where other's feelings and needs are seen as paramount to our own. Our society has struggled with this issue for some time and it is pleasantly surprising to see informational leaders dealing honestly with an issue they normally would shun. But as author Joel Belz reminds us, "Truth… is a powerful force. People can conceal reality in their lives only so long. Sooner or later, facts bubble up to the surface with an uncanny ability to grab people's attention in spite of themselves." F5
FOOTNOTES:
F1 TIME Magazine; March 22,2004
F2 The New York Times Magazine; as reported in World Magazine, Nov. 8,2003
F3 TIME Magazine, March 22,2004
F4 As reported in World Magazine, Nov. 8,2003
F5 Joel Belz, Publisher of World Magazine; A Powerful Force, Nov. 8,2003
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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