Gender in the workplace/world

I'm posting thoughts and questions because I want to hear other people's opinions and experiences, NOT advocating we start dragging pregnant women out of every business and making women pee on a stick as part of the interview process!

The reason I said I would view it less favorably the further advanced their pregnancy was simple math - the further along the pregnancy, the less time remaining before maternity leave.

Obviously I don't understand your perspective - probably because I am used to working in a family friendly business with other professionals, not the lazy ne-er do wells and baby haters you apparently had as coworkers & employers.

I never said nor implied that I worked with baby haters or all ne'er do wells, scooterbug. Please. ASSUME= ASS out of U and ME. I have only for you,scooterbug. Peace out, sowal sista. ;-)

Based on years of my mother's commentary on various tenured tools, I thought you had to basically be convicted of a felony before you lost tenure, not just get preggers! What a crock!

He was an a$$. I knew I wouldn't lose my job (or I'd sue), but I needed to warn him since the previous pregnancy ended up with bedrest from 26 weeks on. We went to the same church. I thought he'd be happy I was pregnant because I had been told it was impossible, and instead he threatened me.

BeachRunner, that boss was a bully. Your story just goes to show what a major difference a good boss makes in a person's life and how much stress a bad, unethical, bullying boss can create in one's life. Sorry to hear about your babies, gull.
How many of you have felt the need to hide your pregnancy or just not mention the fact that you are, while job hunting in fear of not getting the job? I know honesty is the best policy but I confess I have not 'mentioned it' before in interviews.

I never could hide a pregnancy because it was such a miracle every time I got that way due to the abnormalities caused by my mom taking DES. I wanted THE WORLD to know!

He was an a$$. I knew I wouldn't lose my job (or I'd sue), but I needed to warn him since the previous pregnancy ended up with bedrest from 26 weeks on. We went to the same church. I thought he'd be happy I was pregnant because I had been told it was impossible, and instead he threatened me.

I never could hide a pregnancy because it was such a miracle every time I got that way due to the abnormalities caused by my mom taking DES. I wanted THE WORLD to know!

He sounds quite a few steps beyond an arse! :angry:

I've never experienced it, but would imagine it would be SO hard to keep from telling EVERYONE you met until you reached 3 months (guideline I've heard as far as making it public)!

Anyone who thinks that women can't do government just need to look to our county commission. We have two women and they do every bit as good as the guys! They study the issues and know the subject matter!

More gasoline for the fire:

from Perez Hilton: Jeff Robinov, Warner Bros president of production, has industry players buzzing over his future. His decree that ?we are no longer doing movies with women in the lead? has sent shock waves throughout the movie biz and even Gloria Allred is complaining!

The LA Weekly is reporting that Robin made his misogynistic decree following the box office disappointments of Jodie Foster?s The Brave One and Nicole Kidman?s The Invasion.

Somebody?s in big trouble!

As far as women in politics are concerned, Lynne Cheney just made mincemeat of Jon Stewart on the Daily Show (she was engaging, but he also put up NO fight whatsoever). I don't know what they have on him, but he was acting like if he didn't coorporate and treat her nicer than his grandma, blackmail info would be revealed!

She really dodged the issue as far as her daughter's sexuality and the president's condemnation of her lifestyle, but other than that, one of the most diplomatic, on message, and personable political interviews I've seen in a while. Absolutely can't stand Cheney, was favorably impressed by her.

This is an interesting thread, because I know these facts to generally be true, but don't experience them - as a "prime childbearing age" woman, I make more money than my past 2 (male) bosses did. I wonder if there is a region or industry factor at play as well.

I can only talk of my personal situation. I am in a field (Architecture and Planning) that is mostly male dominated (although this is changing) and most of my fellow women students (in graduate school that is) are no longer practicing for a multitude of reasons, and even fewer get licensed.

I have felt discriminated in the work place plenty of times but actually never from my bosses - usually in the field, by subs and contractors....

I happen to have followed the same career path (+ or -) as my husband and we have tracked quite closely. We both work full time and we have 2 kids and I am honestly reporting he is an amazing father and partner (although no surprise there - I would NOT have married him without knowing this - I was explicit about my own ambitions - always knew I wanted to be a mum but always knew I would want to work). We share in tasks in and out, with parenting included (obviously at times he is more involved and at other times I am more involved).

When we first accepted our respective jobs here it was after a relatively lengthy negotiation period but we gladly accepted our jobs on a Tuesday - I found out 2 days later I was pregnant!!!!! I immediately called my new boss and told him. I knew I was under no obligation to tell him legally but I felt a responsibility to and I did of my own free will. He was wonderful and supportive and it alievated a huge sense for me to know that he knew this.

Just my own experience. I work hard and will always do so and if I did feel that I was not earning the same as my male counterparts I would leave my job and seek another. Although I recognize that I am fortunate to have options - many do not and have to make do.

Thanks for reading!

This is an interesting thread, because I know these facts to generally be true, but don't experience them - as a "prime childbearing age" woman, I make more money than my past 2 (male) bosses did. I wonder if there is a region or industry factor at play as well.

I have always made more money than my male counterparts in other departments (other than business administration and accounting) because my area of expertise has always been in demand. But I didn't like being threatened when I was pregnant.

Having been in the work place for lots of years (Unfortunately), I have to agree with a lot of what BR says. It is, from a career perspective, unfortunate that women have babies, raise children, cook, clean, etc. Just can't be helped.

The other option is for women to forego the childbearing thing. Tough to do. They are manufactured and programmed to have and raise kids. It affects them in ways that defy explanation, even if they don't have children.

I see a lot of really driven career women who turn into the corporate b$tch. I sense that they really deep down inside hate they way they have become.

Solution

I've never really had a desire to have kids. The older I get the happier I am with my decision.

With all the money I save, I'm able to hire a housekeeper since I also have no desire to do housework.

I guess I was misprogrammed. Just can't be helped.

The other option is for women to forego the childbearing thing. Tough to do. They are manufactured and programmed to have and raise kids. It affects them in ways that defy explanation, even if they don't have children.

I see a lot of really driven career women who turn into the corporate b$tch. I sense that they really deep down inside hate they way they have become.

Women may have been "manufactured" to be able to bear children w/ the help of a male, but they are socially "programmed" that they have to have kids - very rough on those who can't have kids or who choose not to.

I can't begin to imagine the hurt we inflict on women who want kids and can't have them w/ the lovely message that if you don't have/want kids you're not a "real" woman. Family friends wanted kids and would have made great parents, but it wasn't an option for them.

In my next life I want to be a man.

Actually I'd rather be a stay-at-home mom.

It's just too hard juggling having a job outside the home and then coming home to the responsibilities of being a wife and mother. Then I could have done lunches with the girls, shopped with the girls, been involved in organizations that meet during the day, and other things I'm excluded from because I work. I'm the only wife in our crowd who works, so we get excluded from a lot, like fall and spring group trips (to avoid the hot weather). Spending more time with my child wasn't an issue because I arranged my schedule so that I was always finished with class when she got out of school, and I never missed going to any of her school or extracurricular activities.

I'd rather be a working mom w/ a husband like Chickpea's or like my dad.

My mother worked full time before and after I was born, took several years off after my brother was born, then went back to work full time when my brother was old enough for school. I don't ever remember her or my father missing any school activities or sporting events and fast food or a non-family dinner was the exception rather than the rule.

I also grew up where it was the norm for both parents to work so they wouldn't think to schedule any PTA meetings etc. during the day, but I know that isn't always the case. My aunt was quite flummoxed by the pointed suggestion that if her daughter's fiancee couldn't support her "in the style to which she'd become accustomed", my cousin could work too - as double income families did exist. I did a double take the first time I was asked IF I worked instead of where I worked. ;-)