Success Happy - How should we help young women explore their life choices?

How should we help young women explore their life choices?

The author of this article, herself a working mom, thinks that young women are not encouraged to really think about how they will balance career and motherhood. http://www.boundless.org/features/a0000819.html ..."The professor at the top-ten university also says, “You know the advice handed out to our generation was very problematic. We were told: ‘Do what men do. Work your tail off until you’re established in your field. Sacrifice what you need to for your career.’ But now I think, if you want children ‘cloning the male, competitive model’ doesn’t work.” What do you think about this? Are young women planning their lives in an overly optimistic way? Should part of sex ed or biology class include information about a woman's peak fertility age? Fertility begins to decline at age 27 - much younger than many women assume. Would college girls benefit from acccess to more information about balancing what they want out of life? Or is the author wrong in her assumptions? Would college women enjoy hearing from working women who might have some ideas and advice on the subject? I'm thinking maybe NOW could actually do some sort of outreach? Do you guys think that might be a popular program?

Public Comments

How about a career, a loving relationship and no kids? Not every women wants a child, but instead, a family of two. Its our choice.
I don't know exactly, but I love that you're asking a question like this. This kind of thing is what feminists in the west should concentrate on.
Walk beside them and talk with them. I will admit; I was blind when I was a teenager, and prove your trustworthiness. Do not fall in love with them or divert their affections for your sex or financial pleasures. Do not lead them to your door or your bed; do not lead them to your desires.
For one thing, we could include adoption as a viable life choice. It'll allow women to go full steam ahead with their careers, not have to deal with pregnancy, and give a child who's already been born at least one parent. My favourite business magazine addressed the fertility issue without a single mention of adoption. I sent a mildly PO'd letter to the editor about that. But, yes, fertility could be brought up in passing. Any bio major will have a chance of learning about it. If not, women will need to seek out other women to tell them about it.
Since I gave birth 4 times after age 29, I guess I am glad I waited to think about children. I believe children are better off with older parents. I did not have to sacrifice a thing and its is wrong to tell women they have to. I choose to postpone getting my doctorate for a time- BUT it had to do with being able to travel and have fun as opposed to working too hard.
i wasn't told to 'do what men do' by my family or friends but i do think that's what is expected from our culture. i do think some women are overoptimistic about planning to have children later. and, i do think this question needs to be posed to men, too. i am so tired of hearing about our need to "balance" family and career --- so should men.
this is a strange theory. if the best women thinkers who work but don't reproduce then society will end up with the other spectrum. just thinking out loud
Yes, this is all fine and well, except ... I'm interested to know why there are no special articles and classes on balancing work and fatherhood. I'm also interested by know why women are expected to change themselves to fit into the (obviously screwed up) system in corporate and industrial America rather than work to change the system itself and demand that the system change.