Having It All
As A SERIES OF STORIES IN THE national media claimed to have detected a trend of Ivy League-educated female students who are planning to abandon career ambitions for Mrs. degrees and mommyhood, DAM checked in with randomly chosen undergraduates of both genders to ask about their plans for coping with work and family in the future. Around the green—or so it appears—women are planning to work and men are open to the idea of staying at home with the kids.
» ANIKA MIRICK '07
Hometown: Wausau, Wisconsin
Major: Neuroscience and genetics
"I wouldn't want to give up my career. Maybe I'd have a nanny. I'll be 27 when I get out of medical school. I'm kind of counting on being able to have children in my late 30s."
» CHELSEA WOOD '06
Hometown: East Meadow, New York
Major: Environmental studies and evolutionary biology
"I wouldn't have been what I am now if my mom hadn't stayed at home with me, but I don't think I'd do what she did. I don't think I'd be willing to give up my career."
» JOY SHOCKLEY '06
Hometown: Stevens Village, Alaska
Major: Native American and environmental studies
"I'd want a balance of sacrifices with my partner. To me it feels kind of selfish to be a stay-at-home mom. You're not giving back to the community and not empowering anyone. It's kind of static."
» ELYSA CORIN '08
Hometown: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Major: Astronomy
"I feel strongly about the importance of being present when you have young kids, but it could be either me or my husband who would stay home—and it wouldn't have to be full time. I feel tremendous pressure as a woman to prove myself"
» JACQUELYN CRANE '08
Hometown: Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Major: Premed
"In principle I feel that women should be participating more in society, but everyone makes their own choices. I'd expect my husband to take an equal role in household responsibilities. Its important to have a family presence, but a career is important too."
» CAMERON KISTLER '07
Hometown: Piedmont, California
Major: Government
"I could see myself taking care of my children, but it's hard to spend $160,000 on your education and then stay home. I'm sure it would be the same for a woman."
» BARRY HASHIMOTO "06
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
Major: Government and earth sciences
"If I have kids I'd like to be able to have time to take care of them as much as my wife does. I wouldn't object to my wife being the main breadwinner. It would mean I'd have more leisure time."
» HARRY NORTON '08
Hometown: North Reading, Massachusetts
Major: English
"I can't imagine a relationship where both my wife and I wouldn't be having careers. I also think wed be splitting the household responsibilities. It's becoming the norm."
