CONDOLEEZZA RICE & MADELEINE K. ALBRIGHT write a compelling case for equality for women on Politico. An excerpt reads:
“This equality empowers women with the freedom of choice — the universal right to determine their own destinies, careers, beliefs and family structures. When women have the power to make their own choices, the chains of poverty can be broken, families are strengthened and socially constructive values are more likely to be handed down to the young. They can finance their own businesses and contribute to their country’s economy or teach their daughters and sons to promote innovation and creativity that will lift the world’s poorest nations out of poverty.”
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Business Week (Joanna Barsh) writes a compelling article about the five things women can do to feel content and happy every day, at work and at home. The results from research Barsh conducted with McKinsey indicates, to no surprise, that finding your passion and feeling connected and engaged are two of these strategies.
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Reuters has a strongly informative article listing 10 things companies can do to recruit and retain women, and, 10 things women can do to further their careers. Good article!
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Great article (as usual) by Sylvia Ann Hewlett on Bloomberg.com about the importance of flixibility for for women…very important reading.
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Suzanne Doyle-Morris, guest writer at Women On Business, writes briefly about women acieving success in a male-dominated field. Basically, she says to strategically select projects and take credit for your work. Simple advice but strong. Read the post
Katherine Kersten at StarTribune.com writes about a Wharton study that indicates women are less happy now that they have more equality, and discusses educated guesses as to the reasons why.
I am a gender issues expert, one who fervently believes in equality. I also believe some of the old stereotypes. No, not the ones that go too far and make unfair assumptions and judgments, but the ones that simply stem from general truths. I believe Ms. Kersten is correct in her estimations, and i believe that for survival reasons women have been biologically and socially wired, for thousands of years, to prioritize and covet family and relationships.
Significant detour from these “happiness” motivators cause deep stress, as does the dual role of career and primary household/family manager. There goes happiness and peace of mind. Many women can handle this. Many women have figured out how to have both high-powered career AND family. But, however unconsciously, the further many women get from the roles they have been wired for, the less peace of mind and contentment they will have. Yes this is a general statement, and there are ALWAYS exceptions to the rule.
I don’t have time to explain all my rationale (thoroughly researched, by the way), but suffice it to say I was not surprised at all by the results of this study. Women are most definitely capable of strong careers. The world needs women in the workplace as baby boomers retire and the number of available men dwindles. So if a woman gets fulfillment and pleasure and can avoid heavy stress, more power to her. But she should not be judged negatively if she chooses to focus solely on the most important job of all…raising healthy, happy, highly functioning children who will be responsible for the future of the world. And the second most important job? Keeping herself happy and healthy, otherwise she cannot be a consistently positive influence on anyone.
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