Wednesday 27 March 2013

Why?

Having it all: this famous and absurd phrase implies that women have somehow gone beyond their station by doing more than just having babies. Value laden and filled with contempt, it suggests an element of greed - depicting working mothers as overambitious idealists, shunning caring responsibilities in favour of work.

Viviene Reding, the European commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship at January's Davos World Economic Forum said it was crucial for wokers to be provided with proper childcare "an issue for men as well as women."

Perhaps we should opt for a new phrase: “the family/life balance”. Yes, admittedly it's less catchy for newspaper headlines, but in reality it’s a choice and balancing act that both men and women should be supported to achieve.

Supporting women into managerial positions also has a strong economic case: “The very best minds, men’s and women’s alike, are needed to address today’s business challenges”. "Having it all” for both men and women is an economic imperative.

Source: Telegraph UK

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