Bias - Be Part of the Solution

Bias - sometimes it’s blatant and in our face, but other times it’s disguised behind a friendly face, an “innocent” question, and comes out of left field from the most unexpected of sources. 

For example, this gem uttered by another professional mother during a recent visit to the pediatrician’s office with a sick child: “You travel for work? Wow, who takes care of your kids when you’re gone?” For the record, my husband does, but I guarantee he would never get that question if the roles were reversed.

In many ways, we have come a long way towards gender equality in the workplace. But in many other ways, we still have a problem, and it’s in our own ranks. When we question each other’s career choices, cast doubt on another woman’s ability to be successful professionally and as a parent, we become part of the problem, rather than the solution. It’s often subtle, but it’s so much more damaging when we do it to each other. 

It starts so early on - when we have kids, how long do we take off, do we come back full time, part time, or not at all? Breast or bottle? Organic? Non-GMO? Daycare or in home? On and on...and the questions come from other women - our family, coworkers, and fellow mothers. When we question each other, we devalue each other’s rights to make decisions about what is best for us, our families, our children. When we do this to each other, we do the same thing we are rallying against, the insinuation that women can’t do it all and that we are somehow less capable than men when it comes to balancing career and family.

In today’s era of #timesup, I certainly hope that time is up on us questioning each other’s career decisions. It’s time to support each other’s choices, and remember that we’re all doing our best to make the right decision for ourselves and our families. I know you are, and #metoo.