Megan Hazen

Right now, on Weekday (KUOW) they are interviewing Gloria Steinem and Amy Richards about modern feminism. I am amazed at how what they are saying resonates with what i have been saying about the state of gender equality today. If only i had her facility with words, perhaps i could express these things in a more compelling way. I must say, i am quite pleased, too, because these people see the same problems that i see, and some how that justifies my sense of injustice. Its not just me feeling out of sorts, but, something that, at least some educated people, really do see as a societal issue.

If you'd like to know more about what i'm trying to say, go find my recent posts of women in the work place, and on motherhood.

One of the things that they talked about today, that really resonates with me, is that our society's balance of work/personal life is out of whack. Its out of whack for everyone - not just working moms. The imbalance punishes working moms more visibly because this group of people is not usually able to compromise on the personal to meet the work demands.

The goal should be that EVERY person has the ability to perform well and succeed in a career, as well as to pursue an outside interest. The goal should be that both fathers and mothers can be working parents, and have the same ability to work and support the house hold. When polled, usually both men and women agree with this concept, but progress towards the ideal is slow.

I also appreciated the comment that, while we see a lot more contribution to parenting by fathers today than we used to, this doesn't mean that it is an equal contribution. This really is my perception, but it is validating to hear someone studying the field agree with me.

Finally, i was interested in the comment that it shouldn't be either/or - you shouldn't have to be EITHER a stay-at-home-parent OR a fully engaged member of society. It is worth remembering, that even parents who choose not to earn money by working outside of the home can still be engaged members of society.

I'm not sure what i'm saying here, but, perhaps if you listen to the recording of this morning show you will also get something out of it.