Did you know that women still aren’t guaranteed equal rights under the US constitution? American women face even greater barriers in the workplace than their European counterparts, thanks to cutthroat American capitalism compared to the relatively benevolent and well-regulated EU capitalism. But American women do have rights, and they should no longer have to choose between having a career or a family.
Know Your Rights
In the good ol’ feminist haven that is the USA, pregnant women have rights. But female job applicants are frequently deterred from asking prospective employers about their policies regarding maternity leave out of fear of the repercussions. There are laws in place to protect pregnant women, although some would argue that they are inadequate. The Office for Women’s Health, a fantastic organization for any woman starting a family, have more information about your rights during pregnancy.
Don’t Buy in to a False Dichotomy
There is one thing that you need to remember at all times – you don’t have to choose between a career and a family. Until recently, even the most ambitious women were constantly pushed into accepting a false choice between their career and their family. This is unfortunately still true for some American women.
Whatever you do, never accept being made to choose between your career and family in a way that a man wouldn’t.
Choose the Right Time for You
Every woman is different, and every mother has different circumstances. Mothers looking to start careers range from experienced and ambitious entrepreneurs looking to return to work after taking some time out to start a family, to moms who are turning their lives around and don’t have full custody of their children.
Whatever your individual circumstances are, you can pursue a career on your own timetable and leave all the time you need for family. If you need or want to study for a degree beforehand, the availability of online degrees from leading universities means that you can study when it suits you and without having to take on the usual costs of enrolling on a campus course.
If you want to pursue a career in nursing, for example, you can study for the appropriate qualification online. Even if there is a practical component, like there is for these Houston nursing degree programs, that will all be arranged by the university.
Be an Inspiration
Sometimes, you will have to choose your career over your family. Not in the grand scheme of things, of course, but there might be occasional days or evenings when you have to put what you want to do on the backburner so you can deal with what you need to do.
It’s never easy having to put a job ahead of your family, but remember that ultimately you are working for your family. Not only does working enable you to provide for your family financially, it also enables you to provide them with inspiration. You don’t have to be doing world-changing work, you just need to espouse a good worth ethic and show them why hard work pays off.
Don’t ever feel that you have to choose between a career or a family. Women today who want it all can have it all. There are going to be challenges on the way, but it is worth it in the end.
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