Women represent half of the workforce, yet still, it is necessary to call out the subtle and overt ways the narratives surrounding women's contributions in the workforce can serve to reinforce biases.

Too often, discussions on women and work, especially women, in a partnership or marriage suggest that work for women is a "choice" or in some way less important than it is for men. This can perpetuate the bias that men's, careers, and career successes are more important than women's AND that in a partnership women should be the ones to subordinate their careers.

This episode emphasizes the importance of women's workforce contributions. Work outside of the home is essential to women's economic security, and social equality, and to creating a robust and sustainable economy. Research shows that work results in far more than a "pile of paystubs". It can give us a greater sense of purpose and personal fulfillment.

Having a life of our own and enjoying it on our own terms is very important, for every individual. We often see men as entitled to success beyond their families and kids, while at the same we ask if women can "have it all?" Women can absolutely have a life beyond their family and kids, and there's nothing wrong with that, just as men do. Having a sense of self-accomplishment and fulfillment outside of their family is not something that women should have to apologize for.

Reference:

Podcast episode referenced in this episode (The Deals We Make)

iTunes/Apple

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-deals-we-make/id1569849100?=1000532205688

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Mtio2sckpzlkgEgba6Tus?

Crittenden, D. (1999). What our Mothers Didn't Tell Us: Why

The Opt-Out Revolution

https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/26/magazine/the-opt-out-revolution.html

The Opt-Out Myth

https://archives.cjr.org/essay/the_optout_myth.php

For more about Dr. DeSimone and the Advancing Women Podcast:

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