How do you guys feel about balancing careers and parenthood. I am all for it. I think there is no reason you cannot do both. But do you all think that parents should get special treatment, ie: extended maternity leave and being able to come back to your same position, when all the while you were gone and someone else was doing your job? I am just curious what people have to say about this. I really feel for the people who choose not to have children, yet basically miss out on some perks.
2006-07-02 14:24:48 · 9 answers · asked by joyfulnoise83 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
I have no children yet I am continually being forced to look the other way when one of my coworkers calls in and says she can't come to work because her child is sick. Compound that by whatever number of children this person has plus they, themselves getting sick, and you can see why it is frustrating to work with someone who is frequently absent because they have to "have it all". I have the rendition of "my children come first" more times than I care to think about. I always want to ask "If this is true, then why are you here at work instead of at home with them?" I find it funny that you refer to these "little extras" that mothers get as perks. Why does a mother get more "perks" than I do? What am I getting for my being to work while you are at home taking care of your kids? Nothing. Yet I am expected to take on the extra load your absence leaves. I personally think it sucks.
2006-07-02 14:40:57 · answer #1 · answered by jeanhack42 4 · 7⤊ 2⤋
I don't see how the childless miss out on some perks. They don't miss out on promotions; those are awarded based on merit, not on who had the last baby. They don't miss out on pay; they agreed to their pay and pay raises, and people with babies don't get more. In fact, society has shown that businesses have, in the past, paid childless people more (as they used to and still do pay men more than women) because they won't be called out of work for sick children and the like; in other words, the company sees people with children as less productive.
Sure, there's maturnity leave. But I tell you what, I've been through it twice, and maternity leave is no picnic. All that pain, and blood, and recovery for what, 6 weeks? 6weeks of no sleep, a crying baby half the night, bonding with the child during that time, only to have to pack it off to a stranger all day, every day of the week? No, it's no picnic.
The only perks that parents have the childless adults have are the children themselves and the joy they bring when you actually have time to spend with them.
2006-07-02 14:29:52 · answer #2 · answered by b30954 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In everything there is a time. You will get your turn at those perks when you have kids. The people with kids are usually the more stable employees. They generally won't up & quit their jobs because they want to go do something different. Just so you know, I worked 3 years after getting married, then started a family. I had to quit my lab job because of the dangers to the unborn. I've worked for pay about 10 years of my life, and 12 years volunteer work.
2006-07-02 14:29:18 · answer #3 · answered by mrsdebra1966 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Legally, with a good lawyer you could probably make a case for discrimination. It's the law that discriminates though, not your employer. Having sexual intercourse is a choice, and carrying the baby to term is also a choice. The choice to have a baby shouldn't result in different terms of empoyment than the choice to remain childless. Say what you will about the birth rate declining, but there are PLENTY of children in third-world countries who need a home... if the USA or England needs to increase its population, adoption is the way to go.
2006-07-02 14:29:37 · answer #4 · answered by Jetgirly 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the times "they are a changing"...I think that parents are facing enormous stress having both (if there are both parents) work long hours and then try to maintain family....time with the child (children). I could never do it and am grateful I never had to make those kinds of choices. Single people are just fine too...mostly it's all about economics. What we value..stuff like that. It's just the way it is these days..I didn't start undergrad school until all my kids were in school all day...grad school..they were old enough to do without me for a few hours a day..Everybody's experience is different. Heck...nowadays people are marrying way later than they used to and having babies way later than they used to...It's just reality.
2006-07-02 14:49:56 · answer #5 · answered by twinkles 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they should have to give you back the position after maternity leave. Why should women be punished because they have children? It's already hard enough to work in a "man's world" Are going to turn on each other now?
2006-07-02 14:28:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it will be your personal choice, but its hard. i did it for a while, but got very sick doing so, anxiety attacks , ulcers, ect,... but it can be done, ive seen many women do it, friends of mine, that have and are doing it, . im a stay at home mom, till the kids are shcool aged, it saves me daycare expences, there is perks to both, but working and family is not for everyone, and those who choose not to shouldnt be judged, we all come different walks of life. more power to what ever choice you make..
2006-07-02 14:30:35 · answer #7 · answered by Z 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no new babies, too many sucking down my oxygen as is
2006-07-02 14:26:20 · answer #8 · answered by ngrimmm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that sucks
2006-07-02 14:27:05 · answer #9 · answered by Riss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋