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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]PP.  You might like the book "Moral Mazes" by Robert Jackall.  Or you can just read the AI summary, lol.

Moral Mazes: The World of Corporate Managers is a 1988 non-fiction book by sociologist Robert Jackall that examines the moral and social world of corporate managers in the United States. Based on fieldwork and interviews, the book argues that corporate bureaucracy shapes managers' moral consciousness, leading to a pragmatic, goal-oriented mindset where personal integrity is often compromised for success. Key findings include the importance of public performance, the manipulation of symbols, and the intense competition for status within these organizations.

Key themes and findings

Bureaucracy and moral consciousness: Jackall argues that the structure of large corporations regularizes daily life, subordinates individuals to authority, and fosters a pragmatic, goal-oriented mindset that can lead to a compromise of conventional morality.

Public performance: Managers must maintain a "cheerfully-bland public face" while hiding their true intentions and engaging in intense competition. This involves a form of "emotional labor" where they sublimate their own needs to meet the demands of others.

Pragmatism over principle: In this environment, moral questions are often treated as practical concerns or public relations issues, and success depends on a manager's ability to be a "dexterous symbol manipulator".

Competition and hierarchy: The corporate world creates an elaborate status hierarchy that fuels intense competition for prestige, making organizational rules and procedures paramount guides for behavior.

The "moral maze": The title reflects the idea that managers must navigate a complex and often contradictory environment where they are constantly making compromises to succeed, leading them to question how to maintain personal integrity. [/quote]

Appreciate this very much. Thank you[/quote]

PP.  You're welcome.  It is a book about old school F500 corporations but makes general sociological connections.  It was recommended by a Purdue professor of engineering ethics who gave a talk at my employer's main R&D facility.

I liked the book a lot.  It pretty much concludes that corporate life is inherently feudal.

My most successful peer female MBA went to a top b-school.  I went to one in the Top 20. My career has flatlined. I have well-adjusted kids who love me and value my guidance.  My peer is a VP and only has a dog.  I've known her since kids were something we both spoke of having.  I wouldn't trade places.

Your kids won't think you're a D unless you treat your family badly (spouse as well as kids).  My kids were fairly accepting of having a working mom.  They are both boys so I think it's good that my future DIL's will have had a path blazed for them IF they want to work.  Kids know love when they see it.[/quote]

Highly doubt things will work out as you expect. I say that as my wifes Mom had a easy full time job growing up as was 9-5pm and five minutes from house. She resented her Mother a lot for working. Walking home from games by her self, being at games after school no one in stands, getting flu at school and having to walk home in rain deadly sick. Her Dad had a 50 hour a week job so not around much. Then her Mom had a third kid ten years younger than her and her Mom forced her and sister into beting the baby sitter for that kid all summer and after school while she worked. She swore she would never do that to her children. So she was a SAHM.

My wife thinks if her Mom was a SAHM she most likely would have not stayed home with kids. But her experience of her Mom doing it was awful.

[/quote]

My kids have nothing in common with your wife's bad experiences as you describe them.  So your doomsaying is kind of valueless.[/quote]

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