CNN’s Campbell Brown hits Gov. Rendell, who apparently didn’t know the microphone he was standing next to was on in Philadelphia Tuesday, over comments the governor made about Barack Obama’s pick for Homeland Security chief, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano.
Said Rendell:
Janet’s perfect for that job. Because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family. Perfect. She can devote, literally, 19-20 hours a day to it.
Opines Brown:
Wow. Now, I’m sure Gov. Napolitano has many qualifications for the job beyond having no family, and therefore the ability to devote 20 hours a day to the job … Again Gov. Rendell, I don’t mean to rake you over the coals. I know what you meant to say. But your comments do perpetuate stereotypes that put us in boxes, both mothers and single women. In government and beyond, men have been given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to striking the right work-life balance. Women are owed the same consideration.
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everyone can cry sexism here all they want...but I think it's more reality. Studies have shown that, regardless of how much we think things have equalized...working women STILL end up doing a larger portion of child care and housekeeping...and a job that requires that many hours would mean a woman w/children had not "balanced" her reality as well as a man...And since I have chosen the 'stay at home Mom" route...I believe that children are the higher priority...not to be shortchanged from some overwhelming professional job (which I used to have)...So, yes, step away from the mic Ed, but I'm not going to criticize the actual statement...I agree with it...
.So, yes, step away from the mic Ed, but I'm not going to criticize the actual statement...I agree with it...
I think the sentiment he expresses is true, but not just for women. Anyone who has a job that literally encompasses his or her life usually ends up shortchanging family, whether it's just a spouse or a spouse and children. Although it's not politically correct to assert, it's the people with no personal lives who are able to devote themselves to jobs that demand 24/7 attention.
