Friday, July 17, 2009
Jack Welch doesn't get it.
Jack Welch can bite my ass. He recently stated that women who take time off for family are making a risky career move. So, basically, I can have a family, but I better not have to take time off of work to do so. I guess next time I pop out a child (if there is a next time), I will just go back to work after it's done and not worry about bleeding all over the office or the fact that I have breast milk spewing everywhere, or that I'm still on narcotic drugs that may affect my ability to drive or perform my work duties, not to mention that I just left a fledgling infant at home with a stranger to fend for his/herself. What an unimformed, ignorant, bottom-line-focused man. It's too bad that men can't have babies too. Then, maybe there wouldn't be this disproportionate attitude toward maternity leave and having a family. Please pardon my rant.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I think you misunderstood the intentions behind my comment. I am not telling women not to have children, rather I am stating that the nature of a majority of businesses, whether consciously or unconsciously, promote men over women because during a woman's maternity leave, her male counter-part is present in the office. He may not be more qualified but he is present and seen and that can be an advantage.
But are you saying that it is right or wrong to promote men over women simply because men are present? Men don't have to even give it a second thought about whether or not to have a family and do not worry about how having a family may affect their chances of being promoted. Your comments justify the flawed view that professional mothers should not be promoted due to an absence from work in order to have children. It dismisses the idea that we can strive for a work environment that addresses the basic and unchangeable fact that women MUST bear children if they want a family.
Also, I would apologize for my unprofessional comments, and tell you that I very much feel like Annette Bening in the movie The American President when she castigates the president when she doesn't know he is standing behind her to hear it and then later doesn't believe the president actually called her and she hangs up on him. It's just a little hard to believe that Jack Welch would have the desire or time to respond to the blog of an inconsequential professional mother.
Theresa
I do not find your blog inconsequential, I happened upon it, while doing a google search. I read your comments and felt a need to reply. When I made my comments, I was merely informing my audience of trends that I have personally seen in the business world.
Is it right, no! I believe that in my own companies men were promoted over women not based on qualifications, but rather by being "present" day in and day out. The psychological effect of seeing someone everyday at work may make that person look like a better candidate for promotion.
Women do have a very tough road to climb and make sacrifices that many men do not have tom make, this is unfortunate. Of course, the history of our Country is filled with unfortunate double standards.
Thanks for the response, Jack. I'm certain that corporate America has a long road ahead of it with regard to this matter. Nonetheless, your comments push this issue to the forefront and force society to recognize that there is still an issue to be addressed despite all the inroads we've made in the last few decades.
Post a Comment