Reply to NYT: professional moms who opted out of work after kids are now opting back in

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Reply to "NYT: professional moms who opted out of work after kids are now opting back in"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm not that poster but I think the point is - what did you expect?  [b]Do you think that you should re-join the workforce at the same level as women who have made other choices, sacrificed time with their families, struggled with WOHM issues, etc?[/b]  Yes, it's unfortunate that the world works this way, but you made a choice and now you are paying for it.  You can't have your cake and eat it too.[/quote]  :roll:  There's a happy medium between your exaggeration and staring on the bottom of the ladder with the 2013 college grads. If she's qualified, why shouldn't she be able to start at the same level where she left off, or maybe just a notch down? [/quote]

Because she has been out of the game. I have no problems with SAH parents sacrificing their careers for their home. But I have a problem with them saying that the workforce is just supposed to accept them back open arms. Honestly, things have changed in the workplace, and it makes sense that after a large gap in their service, they need to reprove themselves. And those of us that have stayed and struggled with the issues of WOH should continue on their track. It's not bitterness, it's common sense. So if you come back making close to entry level, it makes sense. You are coming back and need to relearn your tricks. If you were truly on top of your game, you  should be able to rebound eventually. But there is no way that an employer will take you at your word that you can come back full speed. [/quote]

Several people on the NYTimes comments have argued that you are using "skills" in the home that are transferable to work. (One person even said: "How precisely is it not the same experience as someone involved in operations? That's what the "stay at home" is about, you keep track of all that is going on and ensure that the proper logistics are there, the proper oversight etc....They are not on vacation and they too are accumulating knowledge and professional skill sets.")

As a senior person who does a lot of hiring--and as a working mom who runs a household--I would not advise women returning to the workforce to make that part of the argument. I get that raising teenagers requires a lot "negotiating" and keeping the house requires "organizational skills" etc etc. It is not equivalent to the work world. Mostly, the power relationships are totally different. Managing your spouse and kids is not the same as managing subordinates, working with bosses, and dealing with clients. Even overseeing subcontractors is different in a business environment--renovating your bathroom and dealing with the plumber and tile guy is not the same as overseeing a contract...being responsible for someone else's money and an organization's legal risks is just a different kettle of fish. Professional relationships and activities are bound by any number of legal and regulatory/compliance issues that never enter in anything you have to deal with at home.

If anything, these kinds of statements are a red flag to me because if you've been "running the show" at home and see that as being equivalent, I'd be concerned about your ability to fit into a team environment where you can't always decide the priorities, or to understand the risks and challenges of a business environment. 
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