Interesting article in La Presse, in which
She essentially says that people before tended to believe that if you really gave women equal opportunities, they would naturally bridge the career gap, but in fact the more choices girls were given, the more these choices were different than men’s. And she thinks it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
While I agree with her general idea, and do think women may (culturally?) find it easier to achieve self-realization in other ways than through their work (it’s certainly my case, and it was even before I had a kid), I don’t think it means women now have the same chances men have professionally. We ladies have come a long way, but I don’t think we’re there yet. Look around you, and tell me if you think women are well-represented in positions that really matter, not in terms of flashy status symbols or crass greed, but in terms of ability to take important decisions and make a difference. If you think young girls have many powerful, positive feminine figures they can look up to.
At work, the big boss of my office location is indeed a woman (a mother-of-two and one of only three ladies), and when she was recently promoted, everyone applauded and the company (a big, international one) had a really complacent attitude about it. But as much as I’m happy about her success and feel a strong feminine solidarity, I also have to remark that strangely, in the organizational chart, the feminine first names abruptly stop at her level, making way to a long line of similarly-suited men in various stages of graying hair.
In might not be the case in other areas, but in my experience, the general culture at work is still very man-centric, valuing strong leadership (as opposed to communication and consensus), hierarchy, individualism (as opposed to collaboration and team efforts) and extra long hours. You can be open to promote women all you want, but if you’re not willing to rethink this very model, it really just sounds like empty good sentiment.
What do you think?
3 comment(s):
I work in the nonprofit sector, which is heavily female - at all levels except the way top. There are still many female leaders of nonprofits and foundations (especially when compared with the for-profit sector), but we also seem to import men from the outside (ie hiring a former male banker to lead a foundation rather than promoting from the inside) to fill those roles. The sector is an interesting mix of what I perceive to be traditionally male values and traditionally female values.
I think I agree with both of you. There is still a glass ceiling in many professions, and women over 40 in particular seem quite badly represented in those fields you mention where one can make a difference, which seems strange because surely those women who do choose to (or have to) put their careers on hold to have children will be back at work by this point...? But I think she is also right, there will always be an element of women not wanting to do certain jobs.
A little bit of me has always wanted to go into politics. My "dream job" was at one time education minister. But the realities of that life don't sit with what I want for my life. And a lot of that has to do with my being a woman. I'm sure I would think differently about it were I a man.
Nothing has made me more aware of the roles of men and women than being pregnant and having a child. I think it is somewhat genetic -- we are hunter/gatherers in our DNA. Pregnancy, nursing and mothering takes a huge toll physically, mentally and emotionally.
I work at a large law firm for a woman at a very high-level position and I am really impressed by her. I don't know how she did/does it. Nevertheless, it is very hard for women to succeed at the same level as men in this field if they also want to have children. I see many young female lawyers end up leaving after they have a baby.
Men don't have to sacrifice their productivity when they become fathers. It's accepted when they work long hours and spend less time with family. For women it's a tough choice and almost impossible to do. And you will be judged harshly for it as well.
I do think that most women are very different than men, but that there are also some women that have the same qualities and drive as men. For these women we have to strive for equality.
Great topic!
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