Many highly educated women leave academia

This story is an interesting look at how, when more women than ever are getting advanced degrees, fewer of them seem to be choosing careers in academia for a number of very good reasons.

February 20, 2004 by Uncategorized 3

You may also like...

3 Responses

  1. Amke says:
    February 20, 2004 at 2:31 am

    can’t have it all ?!
    This is interesting and reminds me of several conversations that have taken place at my own workplace (public library) regarding how in the library field, it is wonderful to see so many women as directors and in leadership positions.

    However, these women often have non-traditional families, i.e., living apart one spouse in one place for work the other in another; or are divorced, separated; spend part of time in one place with family and another away; live an “alternative” lifestyle with a same-sex partner and no children, etc…. Which is fine, but makes one wonder if it is possible to be a woman in leadership, or in a high-level academic (or even business) position and still be able to have a family and relationships, etc. I do think that this comes into play partly when you talk about something like the lack of women in upper positions in academia.

    For men, they may often get to “have it all” because they have a wife who can maintain that home side of his life (even if she works outside the home, has a career, etc. And don’t get me wrong, I am not meaning to stereotype here, some men Do take this on!) However, I think not as many men are willing to be the “wives.”

    Reply
  2. Marlene says:
    February 20, 2004 at 11:10 pm

    Re:can’t have it all ?!
    Good observation! I happen to be one of those woman librarian types living apart from family for the job. In my own situation, coordinating the job location is the problem. Hubby can’t find job in this location that is as good as what he has now. And I’m not making enough to be the new bread winner.

    Reply
  3. April says:
    February 20, 2004 at 11:53 pm

    Re:can’t have it all ?!
    I think it’s just that more women put family first. Most of the men I know in leadership jobs hardly spend any time at home; they sacrifice family life for a job. I know men who are very involved with their kids, and they do miss out at work for it. People are very aware of the “mommy track” as opposed to the leadership track, but fewer people seem to notice that there is also a “daddy track;” some men are the primary breadwinners but don’t slave away extra hours or go on business trips. They’d rather be with their kids as much as possible, and they don’t get promotions because their family comes first. Personally, I think that’s great. There’s something wrong with a system that punishes parents for caring about their children, but it happens to parents regardless of gender.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LISNews Archives