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Sunday, December 20, 2009

Women on the Corporate Ladder


Caution! Women Climbing the Corporate Ladder

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr said that “None of us are free until we are all free!” Consequently it is with some joy that I see so many women moving ahead in the workplace. I take no amusement from those who think that certain things in life are solely women’s work, mainly to do with domestic matters. Men are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves and their children. There are no real reasons why women cannot break free from the old stereotype of doing everything in the kitchen. Men make excellent chefs.

I have had a growing uneasiness however, of whether a woman is completely free to soar with the eagles in her ambitions. We tell them that it is their right to be all that they can, and not to let anyone hold them back, but I think that perhaps we are not being all that realistic or fair. Being a woman is certainly not the same thing as being a man. A woman has to cope with a side of her that has its own demands. She has a biological clock that she must pay attention to, and when the children come along the natural instinct is to care for them.

This is not unfair. It cannot be said to be an unfair disadvantage because of what being a mother is. But, it does cause impediments in a commercial career that a man is free from.

As a man I have taken notice of the rise and rise of women in the workplace and in politics, and I have been pleased. Women certainly do at least as good a job as men, and I think most fair-minded people appreciate that it is a far better society when we are all participating.

In those societies where women are making the greatest advances we see problems associated within the period of transition. Some are very serious and involve violence. Others simply involve loneliness for the woman because she is unable to find a suitable man to keep pace with her.

As an example, a woman judge is a special case because judges are in a unique place. For her, a very progressive thinking man will be needed, preferably another judge. Failing that she might well be a very lonely person indeed.

Female doctors are another interesting study, although they are a part of a larger group and are more likely to have contact with other professionals of a like level. However, the pressures of the profession make it difficult to maintain a normal lifestyle and to include having children. It can be done but some part of their lives has to suffer.

The principal problems for a woman who is climbing the ladder to commercial success, other than those of the competition itself, tend to arise within her own personal life. Her male partner and her family can be the wind beneath her wings, or the anchor that holds her firmly on the ground. Consequently, we are seeing more young women staying free of personal relationships, and leaving it to the very last minute to have a baby at about age 36. Even then she may choose to have a sperm donation.

So, if we are agreed that active involvement of women in all parts of our society is vitally important, but that a woman faces hurdles that men are free from, the least that society as a whole can do is to offer empathy and support rather than to place even more barriers in their paths.

It is anyone’s guess how many such women were caught up in the financial crisis. Women who devoted their lives to moving ahead in the corporate world at the expense of a family, only to be tossed out into the sea of unemployed persons to sink or swim. That is so sad it hardly bears thinking about.

There are many successful women who remain at their posts, and who will survive this crisis. They work hard and play by the rules and are entitled to our respect and admiration. If they have a man who cannot accept that fundamental truth, then she has to make the hard decisions to cut him loose to find someone with whom he will be more comfortable.

The real acid test for a man is whether his wife earns as much money, or more than he does, or otherwise enjoys as much success. This is where the male ego gets in the way. It is something that generally men cannot control. We can struggle with it, but it really is more trouble to ourselves than to other people. Again, if this is a hurdle for her, she may have to make another decision that will be a test of her strength.

I try to have empathy for today’s professional woman, and I wish her all the best. Being a pioneer never was a comfortable thing. It all comes down to whether the rewards are worth the risks and hassles of reaching the destination.

Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael