"Unraveling the Squeeze: How Societal Expectations Constrain Working Women"
The pursuit of "having it all" – a career, family, and personal fulfillment – has become an unattainable ideal for many working women. Economist Corinne Low's latest book, "Having It All," sheds light on how societal structures, rather than individual shortcomings, are to blame for the constraints faced by working mothers.
The term "the squeeze" aptly describes the experience of many working women, who struggle to balance competing demands at home and work, especially when caring for young children. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further strained family dynamics and created new pressures on caregivers.
Low argues that the conventional narrative surrounding women's roles in society has led to a lack of understanding about how women navigate these challenges. Historically, women have been expected to prioritize their domestic duties over their careers, with men taking on a more prominent role in the workforce. However, this setup only works when relationships remain intact, and even then, it perpetuates an uneven distribution of household responsibilities.
The author points out that poorer women and women of color have always worked to support their families due to financial necessity, rather than choice. Their ability to develop "human capital" – skills and expertise that enable economic independence – has been a crucial factor in overcoming the constraints placed on them by societal expectations.
However, as women enter the workforce and start families, they face increasing pressure to balance their careers with domestic responsibilities. The expectation of constant availability for childcare and household tasks has become more intensive, leaving many working women feeling drained and burnt out.
Low suggests that rather than advocating for women to adapt to workplaces built for men or embracing the "girl boss" mentality, we should be encouraging men to take on a more equitable share of domestic responsibilities. This would not only alleviate pressure on working women but also provide an opportunity for men to develop new skills and become more involved in caregiving.
In contrast to the "Lean In" movement's emphasis on individual agency and career advancement, Low advocates for a more nuanced approach that acknowledges the structural barriers women face. She argues that women need to think critically about their own values and priorities, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Ultimately, finding balance between work and family life requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive caregiving responsibilities. Rather than viewing them as separate "jobs" or burdens, we should recognize that they are intertwined aspects of a person's overall well-being.
As Low herself notes, "You cannot do [career ambitions] and [raising children] at the same time, but you can have elements of both." By acknowledging this complexity and fostering conversations around shared responsibilities, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society that supports all individuals – regardless of their gender or background.
The pursuit of "having it all" – a career, family, and personal fulfillment – has become an unattainable ideal for many working women. Economist Corinne Low's latest book, "Having It All," sheds light on how societal structures, rather than individual shortcomings, are to blame for the constraints faced by working mothers.
The term "the squeeze" aptly describes the experience of many working women, who struggle to balance competing demands at home and work, especially when caring for young children. This phenomenon has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further strained family dynamics and created new pressures on caregivers.
Low argues that the conventional narrative surrounding women's roles in society has led to a lack of understanding about how women navigate these challenges. Historically, women have been expected to prioritize their domestic duties over their careers, with men taking on a more prominent role in the workforce. However, this setup only works when relationships remain intact, and even then, it perpetuates an uneven distribution of household responsibilities.
The author points out that poorer women and women of color have always worked to support their families due to financial necessity, rather than choice. Their ability to develop "human capital" – skills and expertise that enable economic independence – has been a crucial factor in overcoming the constraints placed on them by societal expectations.
However, as women enter the workforce and start families, they face increasing pressure to balance their careers with domestic responsibilities. The expectation of constant availability for childcare and household tasks has become more intensive, leaving many working women feeling drained and burnt out.
Low suggests that rather than advocating for women to adapt to workplaces built for men or embracing the "girl boss" mentality, we should be encouraging men to take on a more equitable share of domestic responsibilities. This would not only alleviate pressure on working women but also provide an opportunity for men to develop new skills and become more involved in caregiving.
In contrast to the "Lean In" movement's emphasis on individual agency and career advancement, Low advocates for a more nuanced approach that acknowledges the structural barriers women face. She argues that women need to think critically about their own values and priorities, rather than conforming to societal expectations.
Ultimately, finding balance between work and family life requires a fundamental shift in how we perceive caregiving responsibilities. Rather than viewing them as separate "jobs" or burdens, we should recognize that they are intertwined aspects of a person's overall well-being.
As Low herself notes, "You cannot do [career ambitions] and [raising children] at the same time, but you can have elements of both." By acknowledging this complexity and fostering conversations around shared responsibilities, we can work towards creating a more inclusive and equitable society that supports all individuals – regardless of their gender or background.
. Women in the US are working 50.8 hours/week on average, compared to men's 43.4 hours/week 
. That's 7.4 hours more for them! 
. What's driving this disparity? 
. That's not balanced "having it all" – that's just not fair! 
. How can we support each other and share these responsibilities more evenly? 
. We could learn from this and create a society where everyone's responsibilities are valued equally! 
it's like they're expected to do it all while also being a superhero 
. We need to shift our focus from individual women trying to balance everything on their own to having an actual conversation about sharing responsibilities and breaking down those societal expectations 
. It's not just about men stepping up, it's also about acknowledging that caregiving isn't a "burden" but a natural part of life 
. I mean, my friends and I are always like "ugh, why do we have to choose between work and taking care of our family? Can't they just be flexible?" 
. Economist Corinne Low makes some great points about how men should take on more domestic responsibilities too 
. I mean, it's all about finding balance and supporting each other 
. We need to have more conversations around shared responsibilities and not just focus on individual agency 
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Like, why should mom have to be the one to juggle work and childcare while dad gets to chill at home and play video games all day? 
It's not fair. And honestly, I think it's time we started holding men accountable for taking on more of those responsibilities. 
! Can't we just have some help around the house, you know? I mean, it's not fair that men get to just relax and watch TV all day while we're over here juggling work and childcare. It's time for a change, imo 
... I think Corinne Low is onto something by saying we need to shift the conversation from individual women doing it all to sharing responsibilities as a society 
. I mean, Corinne Low is on to something with this whole societal structure thingy. It's all about how our grandparents generation expected women to stay home and take care of the kids while their husbands went off to work, and it never really changed much even after they were gone 
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. Men need to step up and take care of household chores too 
️. The idea that women have always had to be supermoms because they're the ones at home is an outdated notion 
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. I think Corinne Low is right on point that we need to rethink our expectations around caregiving and family responsibilities. Maybe it's time for men to step up and take a more active role in supporting the people they love 
I'm like, so sorry for being late to the party on this one... I stumbled upon this thread from last week and had to share my thoughts. Corinne Low's book sounds super insightful, imo. The way she highlights how societal expectations are holding women back is just crazy. I mean, it's not that they're not capable or strong – it's just that we've been conditioned to prioritize certain roles over others.
! The term "the squeeze" is literally my life right now lol. I feel like we've been conditioned to believe that women are the only ones who can do it all, and men just get to coast. But honestly, how many times have you seen a man be the primary caregiver while his partner works full-time? Never, right?
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