What’s Preventing Women From Having a Career and Family?

Article written by guest writer Rin Mitchell

What’s the Latest Development?

Women all over the world are faced with the decision on whether to pursue a career or have a family. It is believed that it is the societal and economical issues that make it hard for women to do both at the same time—and not because women can’t handle it. Most high-power positions are too demanding in time and responsibility, making it harder for women with families or who desire to have one to obtain such a position than it would be for men. The author points out there will not be full equality for men and women due to the social issues involved in professional roles. For men who desire to have a family, they just need to find a good career that allows them the financial stability to take care of their families. Cultural norms had been that men were the “breadwinners” and women the “caregivers,” which have changed dramatically over the years, since more and more women have become breadwinners. However, societies in “individual countries are in their own evolution toward full equality for men and women.” So while some countries enable women to be professionals and mothers, “they are not producing as many women managers in the private sector,” or “much less at the top ranks” as others.  

What’s the Big Idea?

Women’s rights have come a long way, but their right to have a family and career simultaneously have been made difficult due to barriers caused by social and economic issues. If a woman wants to have a career, then it is likely she will need to hold off on having a family. The demands of high-power roles make it almost impossible for a woman to be able to have both a career and family. These are the “ real barriers and flaws that still exist in the system despite the opportunities we inherited” that prevent women from truly having the same equality as men.