Work

In Belkin's article, "Opt Out," I can see how they came to the conclusion that once women get into the work force and decide to have children, they take a "back-seat" to their jobs. But when you get more in depth with the reading and see that the study was only focused on the elite white women, you get a different understanding. What about the black woman who has to work 2 jobs just to put food on the table and clothes on her children's back or even the black woman who has to give her child up for adoption just so the child will not grow up in her environment and so they both can survive? There are a LOT of different scenarios for everyone, so there is no way to come up with a thesis based on just one portion. It is not ethical.

I believe the responses made to this article were similar to my reaction to the article. It's time to look at America, as a whole and not just the elite white individual as the leading role.

I have experience a black single-mother household. Father was on drugs and we had to move in with my grandmother when I was 5 years old. My mother worked at Wal-Mart ALL day for at least 5 years, until she got a job as a teacher at our local Middle School. I remember waiting up all night on my mom to get home, just so she can tuck my siblings and I into bed. Sometimes, she wouldn't make it in until late and I was the one who had to tuck them in at night. So, no this country girl has not had it easy. Then, when I was 12 or 13, my mom took in 3 of my cousins when their mother passed away. So, now there is a total of 6 kids to one adult. You want to talk about hard times? I wrote the book.

In response to the readings, "Women at Work" is a grand thing! I encourage any and all women to work and not just work, move up in whatever position you are in. Yes, the male can be the head of the household or the dominant figure in society' eyes, but we do not have to sit at the house and cook and clean all day. The world has changed and it is time to step up and express yourself. I am not saying you should neglect your duties at the household, just find a medium and live life to the fullest.