I read the recent Atlantic cover story, “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All” with great interest. I really appreciated former head of policy planning at the State Department, Anne-Marie Slaughter for being another voice coming out in support of work-life balance in general—and for moms/parents in particular. I think it’s part of the slow, but certain, wheel of change that will bring us to a better place.
Ensuring there are mothers in high-level government and business positions will help diversify the leadership and balance policymaking.
To me, it’s not really so much about whether or not I personally “have it all.” I feel like I do, for what I want—an interesting design and writing career on my terms and time to spend with my family. I’m not famous or making big waves in the world, but I am happy.
There are many women who are more ambitious than me and they deserve a better shot/more societal support at staying in high-ranking careers with influence over public policy (and business) because I think they bring balance and perspective that childless (or even certain dads that are traditionally less engaged) can’t bring, and we can’t have the world run by people who don’t understand the needs of children and families.
Bitch magazine gave what I think is a pretty good analysis of the article itself, identifying feminist critique of Slaughter’s piece as a “mixed bag.”
The presentation of the article via its weird cover art and its headline, though, were again very disappointing (see TIME magazine analysis) and did nothing to sell the true concept of Slaughter’s piece.
That outfit the woman is wearing is very dated, as is the briefcase, and the whole trite visual play of the baby in the briefcase. Really? It reminds me of Diane Keaton in Baby Boom circa 1987! Has nothing changed since 1987. I guess not enough. But, we’re getting there.
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on Sunday, June 24th, 2012 at 10:44 and is filed under Design in My Days, Social Commentary.
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Atlantic magazine: The 80s called and wants its cover back
I read the recent Atlantic cover story, “Why Women Still Can’t Have it All” with great interest. I really appreciated former head of policy planning at the State Department, Anne-Marie Slaughter for being another voice coming out in support of work-life balance in general—and for moms/parents in particular. I think it’s part of the slow, but certain, wheel of change that will bring us to a better place.
Ensuring there are mothers in high-level government and business positions will help diversify the leadership and balance policymaking.
To me, it’s not really so much about whether or not I personally “have it all.” I feel like I do, for what I want—an interesting design and writing career on my terms and time to spend with my family. I’m not famous or making big waves in the world, but I am happy.
There are many women who are more ambitious than me and they deserve a better shot/more societal support at staying in high-ranking careers with influence over public policy (and business) because I think they bring balance and perspective that childless (or even certain dads that are traditionally less engaged) can’t bring, and we can’t have the world run by people who don’t understand the needs of children and families.
Bitch magazine gave what I think is a pretty good analysis of the article itself, identifying feminist critique of Slaughter’s piece as a “mixed bag.”
The presentation of the article via its weird cover art and its headline, though, were again very disappointing (see TIME magazine analysis) and did nothing to sell the true concept of Slaughter’s piece.
That outfit the woman is wearing is very dated, as is the briefcase, and the whole trite visual play of the baby in the briefcase. Really? It reminds me of Diane Keaton in Baby Boom circa 1987! Has nothing changed since 1987. I guess not enough. But, we’re getting there.
This entry was posted on Sunday, June 24th, 2012 at 10:44 and is filed under Design in My Days, Social Commentary. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.