After almost a decade working in Higher Education, I realize
that I feel guilty for my commitment to my career. Today I attended the CSUB “19th
Annual Latina Leadership Conference” and listened to successful women share
their stories. As each generation shared
their journey it seems that professional women are our own worst enemies. But it is not as simple as just get over it
and be ambitious.
Career versus Motherhood
There are several factors to consider when thinking about our careers, and for many women the foremost issue is motherhood.
I am not a domestic goddess: I am not gifted in the area of
sewing, crafting or cooking. I love my
children, but even if I won the lottery tomorrow I would not choose to be a
full-time stay at home parent. As my
husband has now entered the workforce the
conversations have shifted to how I am going to address the care of our children. The decision to raise two children requires a
commitment of an immeasurable amount of home labor.
Studies, like the link above, that ask mothers if they are “spending enough time
with their children” are inherently flawed.
As women, we are lucky to get stuck with social pressures that remind us constantly that our sex requires us
to nurture.
My partner is a feminist who was a willing stay-at home parent so I could start my academic career. I am capable and enjoy being a leader but I
feel guilt about my male partner’s sacrifice for my success.
I can’t believe I wrote this sentence:
I am capable and enjoy being a leader but I feel guilt about
my male partner’s sacrifice for my success.
I know it is redundant to repeat a sentence, and it was hard
to write it the first time. This confession demonstrates the internalization of
both gender archetypes and that I am a barrier to my own personal success. My professional success has provided for my
entire family. Regardless of my gender--
my education and experience makes me better qualified to be the breadwinner in
our family. Then why the heck do I still
feel guilty?
My Self Inflicted Glass Ceiling
My partner supported me through graduate school, the start
of my first full-time academic post and in the full-time care of our two
children. His action and words of
encouragement validate me as I work on my doctoral dissertation and yet doubt pervades my choices.
My doubt brings two interesting points of clarity:
How do other highly education mothers without incredibly
supportive partners overcome social pressure and personal guilt to succeed
professionally? How can I earn a fair
wage, promotion, and professional success when I hesitate to recognize my own
value?
Life without Kids
The outcome to both of these questions is simple; patriarchy
influences professional women.
I have several successful female friends without kids. It is a common misconception that the choice
to not have children voids social pressures.
In my experience people assume that women without children are either broken
or not living life to the fullest.
As the above stories conclude, the assumption that women
without kids are somehow unfulfilled is absolutely wrong. With or without children, professional women
are influenced by patriarchy.
Conclusion
This week my preliminary defense of my dissertation is
scheduled.
Friday March 28, 2014 10am at CSUB Education Building
123
In spite of self-doubt, I keep plugging away and I am getting
the job done. This weeks blog
was cathartic to write and embarrassing to share. But I shared it because I hope it validates other
professional women who are struggling with their own careers to know they are
not alone.
