Is marriage dangerous to a woman’s career?
Ladies, listen up! If you want to advance in your career, your wedding plans are going to have to wait. Selena Rezvani, writing for Forbes, examines the reasons why a growing number of women are choosing not to walk the aisle: Getting married has a detrimental effect on a woman’s career. She cites that while women are ready for the “give and take of marriage” like using their husband’s names and moving when their husband’s careers call for it, most of them end up compromising too much. This has led many to completely abandon the thought of getting married.
Rezvani cites the views of Brenna Smith, founder of SheNow, a site that encourages women to live their own lives first before rushing into marriage. Says Smith: “As women, our paths are no longer restricted to birth, adolescence, college, then jumping the broomstick and having children. Our goal should be to accomplish our dreams, seeing the world, having adventures and figuring out our own wants, motivations and needs. Marriage and children are no longer the predestined next step to womanhood. In fact, they’re not a requirement at all.”
And many of Rezvani’s readers agree. Lawpp000411 says: “I couldn’t agree with Ms. Smith more!… As a 20-something, unmarried, career-focused woman, I think it is FANTASTIC there is a group that is focusing on just how cool that is, and how the old-fashioned “norm” isn’t really the norm at all…” Jam3422 concurs: “Marriage isn’t the only path anymore.”
Marcy Twete, founder and CEO of Career Girl Network, who has been married twice, writes that marriage has helped and hindered her career in different ways. The unsuccessful marriage actually helped propel her career since she ended up spending more hours in the office to escape it. However, a good marriage with a supportive partner (like the one she has now) has been “an incredible addition.” In the end, she thinks it’s all about a matter of approach: “I think the answer to the question of whether or not marriage hurts your career is all about how you approach it. If you want to be successful in marriage and in your professional life, it takes hard work and dedication.”
Another Forbes reader, globalcapitalist, reminds everyone that marriage is a legal contract. “Marriage is a business and has been for thousands of years…. The ability to blend the emotional component of marriage with the business of being married is and remains a constant challenge for many couples today. Our roles as women has drastically changed and the decision to delay or opt out of marriage is a personal choice. Marriage is an art. When it works, it can be amazing!…blending business with pleasure can lead to a long and happy life.”
Category: Family 2.0
Thanks for the shout-out! Glad the conversation is continuing about marriage and women’s careers!!