Women are achieving greater success than ever in the workplace, but does that success take a toll on their home lives? Is it truly possible to “have it all?” It’s a question that has been floating around for a few decades, but now, thanks to the sudden prominence of powerful female executives, it’s taken on a brand-new twist. Sort of like how Pepsi Lime puts a new twist on a classic flavor. Except Pepsi Lime doesn’t complain about having to stay in the kitchen. Just kidding. From the NY Times:
Starting a year and a half ago, Ms. Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, injected new energy into the often circular work-or-home debate with videotaped talks that became Internet sensations. After bemoaning the lack of women in top business positions, she instructed them to change their lot themselves by following three rules: require your partner to do half the work at home, don’t underestimate your own abilities, and don’t cut back on ambition out of fear that you won’t be able to balance work and children.
“Women of my generation have clung to the feminist credo we were raised with ... because we are determined not to drop the flag for the next generation,” Ms. Slaughter wrote. “But when many members of the younger generation have stopped listening, on the grounds that glibly repeating ‘you can have it all’ is simply airbrushing reality, it is time to talk.”
On the one hand, I don’t believe any human being, man or woman, can ever “have it all.” You can do whatever you want, but that requires passing on other things. If you want to raise a child, that means less time working, and if you want to work, that means less time with your kids.
On the other hand, my life goal is to become a stay-at-home dad, so if that means guilt-tripping women into staying in the workforce, then I guess that’s what I have to do. Ladies, do you really want to let society keep you out of the office and in the laundry room? Stay in the workforce and don’t bow down to “the man” and his anti-ovary agenda. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to buy a new flat-screen with your credit card.
Follow Tom on Twitter: @thefaketomz
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