by Nan C Avery

Created on: September 27, 2009

It is very important when discussing career women that we keep in mind that there is a career woman and a working woman. Career women have a choice. Working women have no choices. They are working to keep a roof over their children's heads, and food on the table. Many times, these women are the caretakers for children of career women. With acceptance of working career women will come the opportunity for working women to aspire for a well-paying career.

Women who have careers and children become vulnerable to the attacks of stay-at-home mothers. They become defensive but deep down, there is a little tweak of guilt when they wonder if they're doing the right thing by maintaining a career.

Some career women work because they have to financially. Others work because it makes them feel secure. They find personal satisfaction in finding solutions to problems at work, but are unsure of how to solve the problems encountered in child rearing. It's a murky, unknown and scary proposition for them.

The career mothers who work because they want to are the guiltiest. If something goes wrong with the child, people point fingers at the mother. The women accept the blame because society decrees them to be the primary caregivers and the women feel guilty for her child's behavior.

At one time, in earlier American society, children were left to Nannies while women pursued social events. They would play bridge or whist or other amusement activities. The children turned out fine and this was acceptable for that time.

The difference between a career mother and a woman who has to work is the money. Most wealthy career women can hire Nannies or nursemaids as well as perhaps, a housekeeper. The children thrive under this type of situation.

Most career mothers develop their own method of interacting with their children in a healthy, productive way. As the children grow older, this type of interaction is easier. Some mothers cook with their children or sit down for quality sharing time. Some parents let their children go to bed at the same time they do so that they can spend more time with their offspring.

"Times", as Dylan would say, "are a'changin." Society will catch up to these changes.

Societal norms toward career mothers are changing and have to change because economically, most families need both to work. The career mothers are the pioneers of ever changing society. Eventually the ideas about childrearing will change, and most women will be able to make a choice without the stigma that is attached to working away from your child today.

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