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| Ariana Grande. Photo illustration by Slate. Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for iHeartMedia. |
After reflecting on what she values about her relationships with her late brother and her exes, Frankie resolves to dedicate herself to her nursing career.
How does gender play a role in the decision to choose between career and family?
Given the choice between finding a deeply satisfying long-term partnership (and no deeply satisfying career) OR a deeply satisfying career (and no deeply satisfying long-term partnership), which would you choose?
Do society's most successful people chose career over personal relationships at some point?
Gender stereotypes based on traditional values seem to play a large role in what life decisions a person may make. Traditionally, men are expected to pursue their career as a way to provide for their family while women are expected to become homemakers and raise a family. When coupled with societal needs to fit in, gender can essentially plan a person's entire life; should that person allow it to. Had Frankie followed a more traditional path, she would've got married and became a housewife instead of going to Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteMy choice would be a deeply satisfying long-term partner. Whether my work is satisfying or not, I would only have to put up with it until retirement. I don't think I could cope with the lack of a satisfying relationship near as well.
I don't believe that every successful person has to make that choice. Success is very subjective because it isn't a specific measurement of anything besides the accomplishment of an important goal. One could actually consider themselves successful because of the personal relationships they foster; not because of their riches or what product has their name on it. If one's goal is to become the biggest stockbroker on Wall Street, they may have to sacrifice their personal relationships to reach what they consider success; however, if one's aim in life is to have a loving family, they too can become successful in the way that matters to them without sacrificing those relationships.
Question 1: I think traditional gender roles suggest that women should be more focused on family, while men focus on their careers. Men are seen as the providers and are expected to get the best job possible to provide for their families. Women are seen as mothers and caretakers and are expected to handle household chores and take care of children.
ReplyDeleteQuestion 2: I think I would rather have a deeply satisfying career over a relationship. I'm not saying that partnerships aren't worth anything. I would just rather enjoy work than hate work. You spend most of your time at work and I couldn't go into a career where I would be miserable every single day.
Question 3: I believe that there are times when successful people have to choose their careers over their personal relationships. They might might not shut down all of their relationships, but they prioritize their careers at times. It may not last long, so the relationships don't suffer much. However, to be successful and be very wealthy I do think you would have to prioritize your career or business over you personal life at times.
Q1: I think traditional society expects women to focus on finding a partner rather than building a career. This expectation creates pressure to stick to a status-quo rather than self-actualizing one's self. This pertains the women; creating a gender divide in goals.
ReplyDeleteQ2: I greatly value my career choice and I believe it is the most fulfilling option for me to go down. It's important to me to be happy with what I do everyday, 8 hours a day. But, A strong relationship is more important to me. With a great career and no relationship, I think coming home to an empty home sounds awful to me. I love being in a relationship with my partner, and I would not trade that for anything.
Q3: At some point, there can be a choice between relationships and career. I'm sure the wealthiest people in the world has met this problem in their chase for success. I understand why they choose their career, but my version of success isn't just a great career, but a happy family with my partner.
How does gender play a role in the decision to choose between career and family?
ReplyDeleteThe expectation is for women to stick to their family and take care of them. By choosing her career she goes against the standard to do what's best for her.
People often assume that women should take care of kids while men work. In modern society this is a problem. Women are expected to adjust to the tradition of homemaking while also working to provide. In roles deemed masculine women are assumed to be in a lower position or less competent by men, and that seems to have always been the case.
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt that I will get married anyways so the answer is easy. I think people shouldn't give up on love and should always try to trust and have someone to lean on. A realistic and logical choice will always be better than fantasy though. I would rather be stable and mature in the way that I feel free and genuinely respected. I need a purpose in myself.
I think tons of successful people have done what they need to do to be successful. It's hard to find people that genuinely want to uplift another and a successful person wouldn't compromise their future.