Anonymous wrote:I'm a dad and I don't want to work full time either. Unlike "most" other white people, the women in my family have always worked since we staggered off the boat from Ireland sometime in the 1840s. Working because your family needs the money but not really wanting to be there is something I call "normal."

What are you expecting, that corporations decide to pay people more so families decide they only need one income? That we return to 1950 levels of union membership and 1950s ratios of CEO to worker wages?
The investor class says "we're not going back!"

This, exactly. If given a choice to construct their own jobs, I bet most people wouldn't independently arrive at 40-50 hours being the sweet spot. I don't think all men would turn down more free time and time with their families in favor of work, either.

That said, yeah, people's solution to this on DCUM seems to be "women should marry men who make tons of money so they can stay home," which is obviously not a scale able solution.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, I would slit my wrists if I had to work compeer-based sitting jobs like all you here. So happy I went into nursing and also work some EMT shifts on my off-days.

Isn’t it great there are different kinds of jobs for different kinds of people? I am glad you have a job you like even though I once had your job and hated it.

I too quit the office crap, took the Postal Service test, and became a mailwoman (deliverer!) I love to MOVE my way though my day. No sitting for me.

I would love to hear more about this!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s health insurance trap. I work 40 hours week on-site. I supply insurance for my family. I’d love to work 30 hours week with prorated benefits but no. In Amsterdam and other European locations many women work school hours and on ramp at their whim.
I wish for my daughters a better balance.

Ugh. The mommy trap.

This is very common. I’m not convinced the European labor market and long parental leaves are that great for women. Wages are much lower with higher taxes which necessitates two incomes. Women seem highly encouraged to return to work after parental leave and then expected to work flexible jobs so they can also do everything at home. A MC/UMC woman staying home seems less of an option than it is here. The long parental leaves mean women often can’t make any progress professionally. The labor market there is less dynamic and more difficult to hire and fire. Productivity is much lower too. The long leaves come at a huge cost.

I took 4 months off and couldn't wait to get beck to work. I guess I am not much of a baby person. I much prefer the company of kids 3/4+

+1

I would much prefer taking 8 weeks, going back to work then taking a year when my kid is 2 or 3. I know that obviously doesn’t work but my maternity leave couldn’t end soon enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, I would slit my wrists if I had to work compeer-based sitting jobs like all you here. So happy I went into nursing and also work some EMT shifts on my off-days.

Isn’t it great there are different kinds of jobs for different kinds of people? I am glad you have a job you like even though I once had your job and hated it.

I too quit the office crap, took the Postal Service test, and became a mailwoman (deliverer!) I love to MOVE my way though my day. No sitting for me.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s health insurance trap. I work 40 hours week on-site. I supply insurance for my family. I’d love to work 30 hours week with prorated benefits but no. In Amsterdam and other European locations many women work school hours and on ramp at their whim.
I wish for my daughters a better balance.

Ugh. The mommy trap.

This is very common. I’m not convinced the European labor market and long parental leaves are that great for women. Wages are much lower with higher taxes which necessitates two incomes. Women seem highly encouraged to return to work after parental leave and then expected to work flexible jobs so they can also do everything at home. A MC/UMC woman staying home seems less of an option than it is here. The long parental leaves mean women often can’t make any progress professionally. The labor market there is less dynamic and more difficult to hire and fire. Productivity is much lower too. The long leaves come at a huge cost.

I took 4 months off and couldn't wait to get beck to work. I guess I am not much of a baby person. I much prefer the company of kids 3/4+

OP’s math is not mathing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s health insurance trap. I work 40 hours week on-site. I supply insurance for my family. I’d love to work 30 hours week with prorated benefits but no. In Amsterdam and other European locations many women work school hours and on ramp at their whim.
I wish for my daughters a better balance.

Ugh. The mommy trap.

This is very common. I’m not convinced the European labor market and long parental leaves are that great for women. Wages are much lower with higher taxes which necessitates two incomes. Women seem highly encouraged to return to work after parental leave and then expected to work flexible jobs so they can also do everything at home. A MC/UMC woman staying home seems less of an option than it is here. The long parental leaves mean women often can’t make any progress professionally. The labor market there is less dynamic and more difficult to hire and fire. Productivity is much lower too. The long leaves come at a huge cost.

I love my work (scientist) but I choose to work part time. The pros are more time with my kids, volunteering at school, a clean organized house, home-cooked meals. The con (besides money) is that I will never advance in my career. I will never get promoted or more responsibility as long as I choose to work part time. This does bother me because I am great at what I do and would love to sink my teeth into more. But my home life would cause me so much anxiety. I am hoping to get back on track when kids are teens. I had them fairly young (youngest when I was 31) so I hope I will be able to overcome any age discrimination at that point.

Anonymous wrote:Ugh, I would slit my wrists if I had to work compeer-based sitting jobs like all you here. So happy I went into nursing and also work some EMT shifts on my off-days.

Isn’t it great there are different kinds of jobs for different kinds of people? I am glad you have a job you like even though I once had your job and hated it.

<<*computer* >>

Ugh, I would slit my wrists if I had to work compeer-based sitting jobs like all you here. So happy I went into nursing and also work some EMT shifts on my off-days.

Anonymous wrote:It’s health insurance trap. I work 40 hours week on-site. I supply insurance for my family. I’d love to work 30 hours week with prorated benefits but no. In Amsterdam and other European locations many women work school hours and on ramp at their whim.
I wish for my daughters a better balance.

Ugh. The mommy trap.

I’m a 48 year old woman. I work FT in a hybrid office (2 days in the office). I have two kids. I find that work has gotten easier, but essentially happens around the clock. Flexibility in where you are also means you can be available anytime, anywhere. I pride myself on being responsive/- my position requires it more than others— but literally no one’s dying on the table if I’m late to an email. With WFH, I am able to do more chores while working and also save on transportation and lunch/coffee. But I do like to go in to interact with people — I hate video calls, but we do 99 percent of our meetings that way. I’m friends with some colleagues and it’s good to see them in person, to get dressed, sit in my sunny office, use the scanner for school/personal business, etc.

Anonymous wrote:No link to this study?

Seems like someone is trying to start up the Mommy Wars

Some moms prefer working; some prefer staying home. There are a lot of factors that go into these feelings. To say all moms would prefer to stay home is inaccurate.

Well, I think the real news is that some people just work for the money. Mind blown

No link to this study?

Seems like someone is trying to start up the Mommy Wars

Some moms prefer working; some prefer staying home. There are a lot of factors that go into these feelings. To say all moms would prefer to stay home is inaccurate.