ex-idaho

Now that Jane Swift has left her office as acting Govenor of MA I think we must ask is it possible for a woman to have a successful family life and a successful career?

Being a man I am fortunate to have never had to choose (of course it helps that I am not married and never intend to have children). I do find it a very difficult position to be in for a woman to have to make this choice.

So I ask, can a typical woman of lets say middle class stature hope to lead a successful life of both family and career?

HaysooChreesto!

It would depend on the interpretation of the word "successful" by the individual in question. My wife stays at home and was unhappy when she was working while someone else was watching our kids. So for her, the answer would be no.

I think it really depends on the woman. Trying to balance work and a home life is hard enough for a man, but I think it's more difficult for a woman due to societal expectations and prejudices.

All I know is this; if my wife suddenly landed a job making 200k, I'd be happy to be Mr. Mom. Sorry, had to get in my lazy opinion.

Acinom

I don't see why this is always such a big deal and why we can't ask the same of men. Would you really say that a man who is in the office all day and has made only tenuous emotional bonds with his children has a "successful" family life?

IMHO, both parties have to make concessions if they want to raise a family and it's hard for anyone who wants to make it to the absolute top of their field to have children. However, that doesn't mean that they can't still have a successful career.