Mothers on The Fast Track by Mary Ann Mason and Eve Mason Ekman
For generations women are stereotypically known for their rides as men as extra pair of hands. From very early ages we have been prepared to accept our rules as wives and mothers from keeping the house clean ,cooking, getting kids ready for school and attending after class activities, busy schedules have made it rather difficult for many women particularly mothers to find a balance between family and their career and ultimately leave women no other choices than motherhood.
In this article authors explain the revolution of women in the so called male-dominated experience on the issue as well as interviews from other women. According the article it wasn’t until in early 21 century that the number of women in otherwise male –dominated professions has increase significantly. Mason a mother of 2 and the 1st female graduate dean at the University of California shares her difficulties in trying to find a balance in the fast –track profession. She began her career as a Lawyer but was forced to change profession due to her divorce and she couldn’t handle the extensive hours of her professional since she’s a single mom.
In additional, the article argues that besides the challenges women face in entering professional career once in the situation doesn’t get any better. Studies reveal that as of 2007 women were yet likely to receive promotion and were still being underpaid in comparison to men in similar position.
I for one could not agree more with the authors. Although we now seeing women aggressively claiming their place in the society, the fine line between two gender in regard to social, economic and professional status has always been bold and clear. For instance in some culture around the global still believe in educating men and consider them as bread runner while women remain uneducated and nearly wives and mother. In other areas society remains special about women managing high tech demanding professions.
In trying to find solutions to the whole issue of balancing family and careers the duo propose that employers provide a family friend working environment, for instance creating flexible working schedules to provide more options should they become mother along the way, help them return to work after short or long break.
Retrieved November 25,2008 from
Mason M.A etl .( 2008 ).Mothers on the Fast Track: How a New Generation Can Balance Family and Careers. Journal of Popular Culture. December Vol.41(6), P. 1069-1070
Posted by G.M
