It's motherhood, not sexism, sister.

The Economist recently ran an article titled, "The rich world’s quiet revolution: women are gradually taking over the workplace" (definitely worth a read).  They point out that women now comprise exactly half of the American workforce, and yes, I agree, that's some serious progress.  But.  The thing that gets me is this: if we're taking over the place (literally), why aren't we also making it work better for us?  Or is that just (justifiably) part 2 in this 20th century story of women's economic empowerment? 

The Economist's article notes that while we're physically there in increasingly high numbers, we're definitely not in charge (like REALLY not in charge).  Fact is, only 2% of the bosses of America’s largest companies and 5% of their peers in Britain are women. They go on to suggest why this is (the heart of the matter) - and it turns out that mothering is a clear factor.  Some snippets:

'Many women feel they have to choose between their children and their careers. Women who prosper in high-pressure companies during their 20s drop out in dramatic numbers in their 30s and then find it almost impossible to regain their earlier momentum.'

'Less-skilled women are trapped in poorly paid jobs with hand-to-mouth child-care arrangements. Motherhood, not sexism, is the issue: in America, childless women earn almost as much as men, but mothers earn significantly less. And those mothers’ relative poverty also disadvantages their children.'

HAVE YOUR SAY: WHY ARE WE (YOU?) NOT CLIMBING THE LADDER SO WELL?

On a very related note, the Harvard Business Review is trying to understand the relative lack of women at the top of the work ladder, especially the drop-out factor.  In their words:

Women continue to drop out of the workforce in increasing numbers and many don't seem to find their way back — even when they want to.

Why?  Initially, to have and raise children. They thus lose their place in line among equally qualified rising candidates for promotion. But in the aftermath, their numbers really start to skew. A recent US study by the Center for Work-Life Policy shows that among women who left work for a while to raise children, 93% of them said they wanted to come back to work — but only 74% returned, and just 40% of them to a full-time job.

Their survey takes just 5-10 minutes and is one way to add your experience and thoughts to the mix. They'll present the findings at this year's World Economic Forum.

Comments

[LTF]

Check out this excellent rebuttal to The Economist's suggestion that the market can solve it all: http://bit.ly/7HEZJ4. Thanks, Valerie, for the strong, on point response. we are glad you're speaking out for family-forward public policies.