I'm making my way in a large consulting firm - pegged as a high-performer, groomed for leadership. It seems a lot of my friends have left the work world for parenting. This, of course, is really a great choice for them, and I am delighted that they have the means and opportunity to do so. I love them dearly, but our interactions become increasing similar - must go to theirs house because of X's bedtime, no spontaneous ability to don a beard and become one of 100 Lincolns roaming San Francisco on Halloween, a lot less political talk, and a lot more toddler talk.

I enjoy my time with them, but am looking to expand to meet more women in circumstances like mine outside of stuffy Chamber-of-Commerce speeches and lunches. Anyone interested? Post a reply and if there are a few, I'll find a way to get us together.

That is pretty darn funny. I agree. It does feel a lot these days that the working women are the ones who are demonized as suggested in the previous post. Our friend should watch the new WalMart documentary for a real analysis of the spiral that has helped to drive wages down.

I had to vote "no" on redistricting measure, even though I know the process is broken. I just didn't want California to be the first state to fix it - to the detriment of the Left. We have a hard enough time competing with smaller states for adequate representation in Washington, that I didn't want to cripple us (progressives) further by being he only state playing fair.

My husband of 8 years is less financially successful than me (he makes less than half my salary), but he's brilliant and funny, and I completely enjoy his company. No complaints here. There are more important things in the world than money (especially for "high-powered" women who presumably don't require a spouse to support them).

Seems like caring for a horse would be pretty easy in Crawford.

So was feminism so radical that it has provoked a backlash? I don't think so. It should have gone further to promote more choice for everyone, outside of rigidly stereotypical gender roles. Why are we even talking about "which parent works?", when the choice should be "what options do all parents have to balance work and life?" Why can't we be a little *more* radical and envision a world where both men and women have reasonable and flexible work lives where they can *both* spend time with kids, be a positive influence, and still do fulfilling jobs. I love the writer who explained how both she and her spouse have part-time jobs. This would be the choice I would make if I could.

I'd like to see a world where you don't have to work 50+ hours a week to be seen as a valuable team player.

I'd like to see a world where health care is not linked to jobs - giving people a lot more freedom over their work lives.

I'd like to see a world where both parents' contributions to child-rearing, art, culture, work, and civic participation are important and are supported - why can't most of us do our civic duty and serve on juries? We can't afford to. That's wrong.

I'd like to see a world where anyone can take a few years out of their career path to serve the public in a political capacity, and then return to their chosen field, smarter, wiser, and with new skills.

I think we need to turn the whole structure on its head. Men and women will never be equal until there are more appealing and respected choices for everyone.

You said

"Another question: why do feminists totally ignore the questions and issues I have mentioned? Sounds self serving to me. -- Rob Fiertek"

I've asked them, and will continue to do so. See my post back on page 7

Love, A Feminist