Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
jeudi 20 juillet 2017
6 Reasons a Cruise Ship Is the Best Retirement Option
Next time your parents go on a cruise, don't be surprised if they decide to stay on that ship forever. No longer just a fun vacation idea, cruise ships are increasingly becoming a viable residence option for retirees who prefer adventure at sea over retirement home living. Turns out, it's not always much more costly to live on a cruise ship than it is to stay in an assisted living facility - and you really can't beat the ever-changing views. Of course, there are many things to take into consideration with this idea, but here are a few upsides to cruising through your golden years.
Travel and New Experiences
Obviously, one key reason to spend retirement living full-time on a cruise ship is for the constantly changing scenery and the epic adventures in far-off lands. Traveling during retirement is a common goal, and living on a cruise ship affords retirees virtually endless opportunities for learning new things and having unusual experiences.
Food and Lodging
Say farewell to a big ol' house making constant demands on your time, energy, and wallet. Cruise life includes a private cabin of your own - complete with housekeeping - and an array of dining options. Plus, some cruise lines allow long-term guests to keep personal items and decor in their rooms, so it feels more like home.
Assistance and Amenities
For retirees who need little to no ongoing physical or medical assistance, residing on a cruise ship offers many perks that trump other living arrangements. When she was in her 80s, Bea Muller lived aboard the now-retired Queen Elizabeth 2 and she extolled the many virtues of cruise life: "I've got full-time maid service, great dining rooms, doctors, medical center" - where she volunteered - "a spa, beauty salon, computer center, entertainment, cultural activities and, best of all, dancing and bridge."
New People All the Time
Feelings of isolation and loneliness can find you anywhere, but when you live on a boat teeming with new people, at least there is always the possibility of interesting conversation, friendship, or even a romantic meet-cute. What's more, not everyone on board is of retirement age, meaning you'll experience a rich variety of perspectives from people of different ages and backgrounds.
Financially Sound
Choosing a cruise ship over a retirement home won't necessarily save you money, though according to one 2004 study, living on a cruise ship only cost approximately $2,000 more annually than staying in an assisted living facility. Rising prices over the years, however, have led some people to debunk this theory, indicating that the financial strain of living on a cruise ship is greater than originally believed. Still, the trend towards spending retirement on the sea has clearly opened up a porthole of opportunity for cruise companies to directly target the retirement-age set. See, for example, Cruise Retirement and The World.
Entertainment
Many assisted living facilities and retirement homes have entertainment options for residents, but there probably isn't an improvised murder mystery and a Broadway revue and a magic show and a ballroom dance event all in one week. Bon voyage, indeed.
samedi 20 mai 2017
6 Reasons a Cruise Ship Is the Best Retirement Option
Next time your parents go on a cruise, don't be surprised if they decide to stay on that ship forever. No longer just a fun vacation idea, cruise ships are increasingly becoming a viable residence option for retirees who prefer adventure at sea over retirement home living. Turns out, it's not always much more costly to live on a cruise ship than it is to stay in an assisted living facility - and you really can't beat the ever-changing views. Of course, there are many things to take into consideration with this idea, but here are a few upsides to cruising through your golden years.
Travel and New Experiences
Obviously, one key reason to spend retirement living full-time on a cruise ship is for the constantly changing scenery and the epic adventures in far-off lands. Traveling during retirement is a common goal, and living on a cruise ship affords retirees virtually endless opportunities for learning new things and having unusual experiences.
Food and Lodging
Say farewell to a big ol' house making constant demands on your time, energy, and wallet. Cruise life includes a private cabin of your own - complete with housekeeping - and an array of dining options. Plus, some cruise lines allow long-term guests to keep personal items and decor in their rooms, so it feels more like home.
Assistance and Amenities
For retirees who need little to no ongoing physical or medical assistance, residing on a cruise ship offers many perks that trump other living arrangements. When she was in her 80s, Bea Muller lived aboard the now-retired Queen Elizabeth 2 and she extolled the many virtues of cruise life: "I've got full-time maid service, great dining rooms, doctors, medical center" - where she volunteered - "a spa, beauty salon, computer center, entertainment, cultural activities and, best of all, dancing and bridge."
New People All the Time
Feelings of isolation and loneliness can find you anywhere, but when you live on a boat teeming with new people, at least there is always the possibility of interesting conversation, friendship, or even a romantic meet-cute. What's more, not everyone on board is of retirement age, meaning you'll experience a rich variety of perspectives from people of different ages and backgrounds.
Financially Sound
Choosing a cruise ship over a retirement home won't necessarily save you money, though according to one 2004 study, living on a cruise ship only cost approximately $2,000 more annually than staying in an assisted living facility. Rising prices over the years, however, have led some people to debunk this theory, indicating that the financial strain of living on a cruise ship is greater than originally believed. Still, the trend towards spending retirement on the sea has clearly opened up a porthole of opportunity for cruise companies to directly target the retirement-age set. See, for example, Cruise Retirement and The World.
Entertainment
Many assisted living facilities and retirement homes have entertainment options for residents, but there probably isn't an improvised murder mystery and a Broadway revue and a magic show and a ballroom dance event all in one week. Bon voyage, indeed.
samedi 19 août 2017
How to Have a Coach Flying Experience That Isn't Awful
We'd all love all our flights to be at the front of the plane, but for most of us, flying first class is a (very) rare treat. As we walk down the aisle, past the luxury of the front of the cabin and toward the great unknown in the back of the plane, we see the comfort level of our flying experience rapidly decrease. However, while coach seats will never match the first-class experience, there's lots we can do to make flying economy a lot more pleasant.
1. Bring your own entertainment
First class might get the luxury of a killer entertainment system, allowing passengers to Skype and watch Netflix during flights. "Unfortunately, flying coach often doesn't have that same luxury. Travel with your own array of podcasts, films, TV programs, and music," said Tristan Seymour, managing director for Lodging-World.
2. Score an empty middle seat
When selecting your seats, choose an aisle seat for one person and a window seat for the other. This leaves the middle seat vacant. "Meanwhile when solo travelers go to select their seat, they will certainly avoid choosing the middle seat unless it's a very full flight and there aren't any other options," explained John Widmer of Roaming Around the World.
So what happens if it is a full flight and someone does occupy the middle seat? Once you're on the flight, if you don't want to be separated from your travel companion by someone in the middle seat, you can simply offer the middle seat occupant your window or aisle seat. No one in the middle seat will ever refuse that. "But typically that middle seat will remain unoccupied. And as airlines continue to shrink legroom in coach, having an unoccupied middle seat to be able to stretch out can be a great little benefit!" said Widmer.
3. Keep the noise out
"For overnight flights, what travelers often complain about is the cabin noise. Use earplugs first, then place a pair of noise-canceling headphones on after. The extra coverage over your ears will help block out plane engine noise and your talkative neighbor," said Stefanie Michaels of AdventureGirl.com.
Noise-canceling headphone good bets are AKG N60 NC Wireless, which have an ultracompact folding feature, or JBL Everest Elite 750 NC, an around-ear wireless headphone that is outfitted with the latest Adaptive Noise-Cancelling (ANC) technology, which will totally come in handy to drown out sounds from airplane takeoffs and screaming toddlers.
4. Bring your own pillow and blanket
First-class fliers get the big seats, and that's not the same for coach. "If you're going to be on flight for a couple of hours, the last thing you need is to be cramped and uncomfortable. Invest in a soft, breathable blanket and pillow for long-haul flights," said Seymour. A flexible travel pillow, such as this Evolution Cool from Cabeau, can go a long way toward getting some sleep on that long-haul flight.
5. Bring your own snacks
While first class is enjoying the fine stuff, coach is stuck with the basic flight food. "Treat your taste buds to some fine dining by bringing your own snacks," said Seymour. Try to stay away from anything especially pungent or aromatic out of consideration for your fellow passengers.
6. Plan for discomfort
Flying coach is like riding the bus in the sky. It's cheap, but it sure isn't fancy. "For flights longer than a couple hours, you'll want to be ready for discomfort. You'll have no room, limited ability to recline, and all the random sights and smells that come with budget travel. Wear loose-fitting clothing, bring extra entertainment, and bring physical items to keep you comfy (extra sweater, neck pillow)," said Christopher K. Oldfield, budget travel blogger from Lessons Learned Abroad and the community manager at Nomadic Matt. Earplugs and an eye mask are worth bringing, too. Leave the knee-high boots in your checked luggage and wear easy-to-slip-off breathable shoes, such as these by OluKai, a Hawaiian-inspired footwear brand, which has a drop-in heel for shoe and slide versatility. This detail allows your feet to breathe here and there thought the flight. Don't be shy about going a step further and stashing your favorite slippers in your bag, either. After all, why should you feel constricted in a pair of uncomfortable or claustrophobic shoes when you're confined enough in coach?
7. Charge your devices before you fly
Many airlines will include outlets, but this isn't always the case. "Do yourself a favor and save that battery life for when you need it! If necessary, arrive early at the airport so you can hunt down the best places to charge your devices," said Oldfield. While you are at it, bring an extra battery, like this 10,000 mAh Pocket Power by Belkin. That way you won't end up landing with a depleted iPhone battery just when you need to request that Uber pickup.
8. Lower your expectations
Take a minute to acknowledge the fact that you are about to be crammed in a rocket tube with hundreds of other strangers for a few hours. "This is not meant to be a luxury experience, so stop expecting it to be awesome. As best, it will be adequate, so keep your expectations measured. This is the most important thing you can do to have a better flying experience in coach!" said Oldfield.
lundi 24 août 2020
The Lost Husband Is a Surprise Hit on Netflix - Does That Mean We're Getting a Sequel?
A few months ago, most of us had never heard of The Lost Husband, and now we're all wondering if there will be a sequel! It's all part of the romantic drama's unexpected arc from tiny unknown title to surprise Summer favorite. The circumstances that made the movie a hit, though, might not work for lightning to strike twice.
The movie's success has been, in large part, due to the unique demands of the COVID-19 era, where audiences are looking for two specific things in particular: entertaiment they can watch at home, and entertainment that's perhaps a little more comforting than usual. The Lost Husband checks both those boxes. It was first released as a VOD title back in April, at the beginning of major shutdowns, then acquired by Netflix and started streaming there in August, giving it ideal timing to reach audiences at home. Plus, with its small-town, slightly weepy, cheesy romance, it's the kind of comfort-watch that many viewers have been seeking during stressful times.
Star Josh Duhamel, for one, agrees. "This is the perfect time for a movie like this to come out because people are at home watching. You know? These are things that they may really want to dive into. People are sort of stuck at home right now, so they either need to read or watch something and they're trying to keep themselves occupied. I think any sort of entertainment is helpful," he told Entertainment Tonight.
So could there be a sequel, and, more importantly, would it have the same kind of success? Right now, the odds are pretty slim on both counts. The Lost Husband has two major things going against it getting a sequel: it's based on a standalone novel (The Lost Husband by Katherine Center), and it's not a Netflix original - it's a licensed title that the service picked up the streaming rights to. Both things would make creating a sequel a little more complicated, and without the unique circumstances that made the original movie such a hit, it simply might not be worth the risk and the hassle.
dimanche 16 avril 2017
6 Reasons a Cruise Ship Is the Best Retirement Option
Next time your parents go on a cruise, don't be surprised if they decide to stay on that ship forever. No longer just a fun vacation idea, cruise ships are increasingly becoming a viable residence option for retirees who prefer adventure at sea over retirement home living. Turns out, it's not always much more costly to live on a cruise ship than it is to stay in an assisted living facility - and you really can't beat the ever-changing views. Of course, there are many things to take into consideration with this idea, but here are a few upsides to cruising through your golden years.
Travel and New Experiences
Obviously, one key reason to spend retirement living full-time on a cruise ship is for the constantly changing scenery and the epic adventures in far-off lands. Traveling during retirement is a common goal, and living on a cruise ship affords retirees virtually endless opportunities for learning new things and having unusual experiences.
Food and Lodging
Say farewell to a big ol' house making constant demands on your time, energy, and wallet. Cruise life includes a private cabin of your own - complete with housekeeping - and an array of dining options. Plus, some cruise lines allow long-term guests to keep personal items and decor in their rooms, so it feels more like home.
Assistance and Amenities
For retirees who need little to no ongoing physical or medical assistance, residing on a cruise ship offers many perks that trump other living arrangements. When she was in her 80s, Bea Muller lived aboard the now-retired Queen Elizabeth 2 and she extolled the many virtues of cruise life: "I've got full-time maid service, great dining rooms, doctors, medical center" - where she volunteered - "a spa, beauty salon, computer center, entertainment, cultural activities and, best of all, dancing and bridge."
New People All the Time
Feelings of isolation and loneliness can find you anywhere, but when you live on a boat teeming with new people, at least there is always the possibility of interesting conversation, friendship, or even a romantic meet-cute. What's more, not everyone on board is of retirement age, meaning you'll experience a rich variety of perspectives from people of different ages and backgrounds.
Financially Sound
Choosing a cruise ship over a retirement home won't necessarily save you money, though according to one 2004 study, living on a cruise ship only cost approximately $2,000 more annually than staying in an assisted living facility. Rising prices over the years, however, have led some people to debunk this theory, indicating that the financial strain of living on a cruise ship is greater than originally believed. Still, the trend towards spending retirement on the sea has clearly opened up a porthole of opportunity for cruise companies to directly target the retirement-age set. See, for example, Cruise Retirement and The World.
Entertainment
Many assisted living facilities and retirement homes have entertainment options for residents, but there probably isn't an improvised murder mystery and a Broadway revue and a magic show and a ballroom dance event all in one week. Bon voyage, indeed.
samedi 15 avril 2017
6 Reasons a Cruise Ship Is the Best Retirement Option
Next time your parents go on a cruise, don't be surprised if they decide to stay on that ship forever. No longer just a fun vacation idea, cruise ships are increasingly becoming a viable residence option for retirees who prefer adventure at sea over retirement home living. Turns out, it's not always much more costly to live on a cruise ship than it is to stay in an assisted living facility - and you really can't beat the ever-changing views. Of course, there are many things to take into consideration with this idea, but here are a few upsides to cruising through your golden years.
Travel and New Experiences
Obviously, one key reason to spend retirement living full-time on a cruise ship is for the constantly changing scenery and the epic adventures in far-off lands. Traveling during retirement is a common goal, and living on a cruise ship affords retirees virtually endless opportunities for learning new things and having unusual experiences.
Food and Lodging
Say farewell to a big ol' house making constant demands on your time, energy, and wallet. Cruise life includes a private cabin of your own - complete with housekeeping - and an array of dining options. Plus, some cruise lines allow long-term guests to keep personal items and decor in their rooms, so it feels more like home.
Assistance and Amenities
For retirees who need little to no ongoing physical or medical assistance, residing on a cruise ship offers many perks that trump other living arrangements. When she was in her 80s, Bea Muller lived aboard the now-retired Queen Elizabeth 2 and she extolled the many virtues of cruise life: "I've got full-time maid service, great dining rooms, doctors, medical center" - where she volunteered - "a spa, beauty salon, computer center, entertainment, cultural activities and, best of all, dancing and bridge."
New People All the Time
Feelings of isolation and loneliness can find you anywhere, but when you live on a boat teeming with new people, at least there is always the possibility of interesting conversation, friendship, or even a romantic meet-cute. What's more, not everyone on board is of retirement age, meaning you'll experience a rich variety of perspectives from people of different ages and backgrounds.
Financially Sound
Choosing a cruise ship over a retirement home won't necessarily save you money, though according to one 2004 study, living on a cruise ship only cost approximately $2,000 more annually than staying in an assisted living facility. Rising prices over the years, however, have led some people to debunk this theory, indicating that the financial strain of living on a cruise ship is greater than originally believed. Still, the trend towards spending retirement on the sea has clearly opened up a porthole of opportunity for cruise companies to directly target the retirement-age set. See, for example, Cruise Retirement and The World.
Entertainment
Many assisted living facilities and retirement homes have entertainment options for residents, but there probably isn't an improvised murder mystery and a Broadway revue and a magic show and a ballroom dance event all in one week. Bon voyage, indeed.
dimanche 8 avril 2018
News Flash: Asking Male Actors to Donate Their Salary Isn't Going to Fix Hollywood's Wage Gap
When news first got out about Netflix's plans to create a series that followed the life and early reign of Queen Elizabeth II, The Crown, I was impressed by the streaming service's decision to retell the story of one of the most influential women in history. As more details emerged, news that Netflix had tapped Matt Smith to portray a young Prince Philip made its way to the ears of some very happy Doctor Who fans. While I've only watched two episodes of Doctor Who, I'd witnessed (but never engaged in) many arguments about whether Matt Smith was indeed the best Doctor in the hit BBC show. Smith's face was plastered all over Hot Topic t-shirts, backpacks, and fan art - it was near-impossible to escape Smith's geeky stardom in the years of 2010 to 2014. That's why it was surprising, but exciting, to hear Smith was tackling a period drama role.
When I read that actress Claire Foy would be stepping into Queen Elizabeth II's sensible heels not long after, my first thought was, "Who's Claire Foy?" Although Foy has turned out to be one of TV's most critically acclaimed breakout stars of the last couple years, you have to admit that she basically came out of nowhere. Still, it didn't take long for the then-unknown actress to win over the hearts of viewers and critics alike, while simultaneously humanizing a public figure notoriously known for her privacy. Foy even picked up a few accolades along the way, including a Golden Globe and a Britannia Award in 2017. It was clear: a star was born, and that star was apparently paid less for her work than Smith.
"No One Gets Paid More Than the Queen"
During a recent panel discussion, one of the show's producers, Suzanne Mackie, revealed that Smith was indeed paid more than Foy in the first season of The Crown. She later noted it was a mistake that won't be repeated, saying, "Going forward, no one gets paid more than the queen." The news quickly went viral, and Left Bank pictures - which produces The Crown and is in charge of negotiating salaries - issued an apology to both stars for getting them involved in "a media storm" they never asked to be a part of. Despite Left Bank's admission, it's important to remember that the reasoning behind the difference in pay was that Smith had the success of Doctor Who on his résumé, while Foy was a relative unknown at the time of her casting. Fans and anyone who believes in fair wages were outraged, myself included. That was until I stepped back, took a deep breath, and googled Foy's IMDb page.
Though Foy's career dates back to 2008, the British actress wasn't involved in anything remotely as big as The Crown before being, well, crowned. What Mackie said had truth in it, but that didn't stop fans from drafting petitions demanding that Smith donate his salary to the Time's Up movement, something Mark Wahlberg volunteered to do after news broke the actor made eight times more than costar Michelle Williams for the reshoots of 2017's All the Money in the World (keep in mind she was one of the film's leads, while Wahlberg was in a much smaller supporting role).
While Smith has yet to comment on the wage discrepancy or whether he will donate his money, it's important for everyone to also take a second and really consider whether this is the answer to Hollywood's gender wage gap. To do so, you'll need to understand how exactly wages are negotiated in the entertainment industry.
Hollywood's Negotiation Problem
According to Natalie Robehmed, an associate editor at Forbes who covers media and entertainment, how much an actor makes is usually and historically based on the actor's quote, which is the amount of money they made in their last project. Agents will normally arrange that their client be paid no less than what they made previously. Agents will also sometimes negotiate that their client be paid more in a sequel if they can prove their client brought in a lot of revenue for that said franchise. Actors like Vin Diesel, for instance, might have the leverage to request more pay for a Fast and Furious movie given how crucial his role is to the successful series.
This tactic, however, is undergoing a major change - in fact, as of Jan. 1, a new set of guidelines added to the California Labor Code 432.3 now makes it illegal for agents to disclose a client's quote when negotiating salary for a project. Hollywood did this as a means to help wage discrepancies for women and people of color who have historically been underrepresented in TV and film.
"Some of the idea was to even the playing field a little bit," Robehmed told POPSUGAR. "Because there are simply fewer opportunities, and fewer big roles for [women and people of color], their quotes have historically been lower."
Since the new guidelines only went into effect in January, it's fair to assume that Foy's and Smith's agents disclosed the actors' quotes when negotiating their pay for The Crown since it was years earlier. If that's indeed what happened, it makes sense that Smith's pay would be higher than Foy's, who was reportedly paid $40,000 per episode (Smith's wages have yet to be disclosed with the public).
It wouldn't make sense, however, for Smith to donate his money. While, yes, Foy is Queen Elizabeth and ultimately the queen bee of the show, Smith shouldn't be penalized for having a successful career that awards him a higher salary. His money is also exactly that: his money. He is entitled to do with it whatever he wishes, and if that doesn't involve donating some of his salary to Time's Up, or any other movement, then that should be fine. Pressuring Smith to donate his money is a temporary and ineffective fix to a bigger issue at hand.
Instead of pressuring an actor to donate their wages, our attention should be focused on creating more roles for women and minorities.
We are paying attention to the wrong injustice here. The problem isn't necessarily the pay; it's the lack of roles for women and people of color in entertainment. Instead of pressuring an actor to donate their wages, our attention should be focused on creating more roles for women and minorities. This should particularly apply to lead roles in high-grossing, mainstream films, like superhero movies and action franchises.
Women Can Save Cities, Too
Oscar winner Emma Stone was the highest-paid actress in 2017, yet her $26 million per picture quote still comes in far, far behind Mark Wahlberg's $68 million (Wahlberg was the highest paid actor in 2017). Wahlberg's comparatively large paycheck can be credited to his work in the Transformers series. Right behind Wahlberg on the list of highest paid male actors is Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson at $65 million, who's starred in Hollywood action films like San Andreas, GI Joe, and the Fast and the Furious series, which Johnson has been a part of since 2011. Behind him? Diesel, at $54.5 million. Notice a pattern here?
"If there aren't roles that give these women high-paying opportunities, then they're going to make less than men," Robehman said. "Yes, there are still women making millions, but fewer of them, simply because there are fewer roles."
While yes, in retrospect, shows like The Crown are a step forward when it comes to telling female-led stories, they are not exempt to Hollywood's long history of salary discrepancies. This isn't the fault of the cast, but rather the content-makers themselves, especially when an actor might have little to no knowledge how much their coworkers make - in the case of The Crown, Left Bank Pictures is at fault, not Matt Smith. Like any other job, it's rare that people (yes, even celebrities) talk openly about their salaries. Actors aren't immune to being uncomfortable or even embarrassed of having something as personal as their income so widely debated. Foy did understandably tell Entertainment Weekly she was surprised to have been in the center of such a heated story.
"I know that Matt feels the same that I do, " Foy said. "That it's odd to find yourself at the center [of a story] that you didn't particularly ask for."
While movements like Time's Up are making it easier for women to come forward about pay disparities, they are only truly effective when people offer their information and help voluntarily, not when they are pressured to do so. Jessica Chastain and Octavia Spencer's recent brush with pay disparity is a great example. After discussing the widely unknown wage gap between white women and women of color, Jessica negotiated that Octavia be paid the same as her in her next project, which was five times more than what the actress was making. This win originated from a conversation both women were comfortable having, and an eagerness to work together. No pressure needed.
Foy doesn't need saving, just like Queen Elizabeth II didn't need Prince Philip to be her knight in shining armor. What women and minorities in Hollywood need is for movie and TV executives to realize that tentpole projects don't need to be led exclusively by straight, buff men. Wonder Woman and Black Panther are proof. Once more stories like those start being told, the positive effects will trickle down to prestige dramas like The Crown and beyond. Then, and only then, will the queen finally get what she's owed.
mardi 12 mars 2019
Pop Culture and American Politics Continue to Obscure Working Moms' Realities
Midge Maisel at work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
I didn't have childcare arrangements for my final class of the teaching semester. My usual sitter had a final exam, relatives were working, and back-up sitters weren't around. I called my eldest son's nursery school and arranged to pay the fee for him to stay late, but I had no one to watch my 10-month-old. I emailed the office to inform them I would have to bring my infant to class. "Sounds like you have taken into consideration that there should not be a disruption in your students' learning," the English coordinator responded. "So it should be all right."
"I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience."
I did my best to occupy my son, who whined and thrashed in my arms. I let him crawl on the dirty floor while listening to my students read from their memoir essays. Halfway through the class, I had to excuse myself to change his diaper on the floor of the women's bathroom; my office was full of other instructors meeting with students and there were no changing tables or family bathrooms available. The whole scenario felt right out of a sitcom, as my son tried his darndest to escape the small pad separating his bare bottom from the restroom tile - except I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience.
Mothers have faced scrutiny and discrimination since they've pursued equality in the workforce. Today, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 work outside the home. In the 1960s, only 11 percent of women were the breadwinners, compared to the 40 percent of working mothers who are the sole or primary household earners today, but policies like paid leave or proper nursing rooms to accommodate working mothers lag far behind the sheer number of us in the workforce.
Last year, 102 women were elected to Congress, several of whom have young children. Change on Capitol Hill began with the installation of nursing stations and changing tables, but extensive reform is needed to keep women in positions of power.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reenacts her swearing-in ceremony with her family by her side. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
A current policy bans lawmakers from using official funds on childcare needs, but the congressional schedule makes it difficult for parents to get home to relieve sitters or have dinner with their kids even three times a week. A single mother to three school-aged children, like California Democrat Katie Porter, needs childcare before and after school and during the many overnights, which could easily overwhelm her salary. Many women, like Senator Gillibrand, move their families out of the home states they serve to DC and enroll them in local schools because of the time commitment expected.
Howard and Bernadette dote over their baby on The Big Bang Theory. Photo courtesy CBS.
As is our reality, pop culture often reinforces stereotypes that make it difficult to advocate for the reform working mothers need. In wildly popular shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Big Bang Theory, children hardly factor into the storyline or, in some cases, are reduced to mere whines in the distance. It's easy to forget Howard's wife, Bernadette Wolowitz, has any children as a working mother.
Midge Maisel, an embodiment of the privileged elite, is more mythical than marvelous as she's never had to drag her kids to a nightclub because of a childcare conflict, and hardly receives pushback from her husband, parents, or community for the amount of time she spends away from her children working both a day job and a night gig. At the end of season two, when Midge decides to accept an offer to perform on a world tour for six months, she does so without hesitation or consideration for her children. As refreshing as it is to see a woman make a bold career move without thought of the family she leaves behind, it's grossly unrealistic and problematic, especially when it hurts real working women with all-encompassing careers who need employers who respect familial responsibility. As a mother watching in 2019, the scene feels highly unlikely given it's set in the late '50s. Careers like Mrs. Maisel's exist - see music artist Pink on tour with two kids - which is why it's that much more important our television breathes life back into these real-life complicated scenarios.
It may say something that many of the contemporary shows honoring the complex reality of working motherhood are produced outside of the country. In the British sitcom Catastrophe, Sharon - a grade school teacher and new mom of two - begs her principal to let her come back early from maternity leave after months of isolating childcare at home and a bout with postpartum depression. She has no qualms complaining about the drain her children pose on her body, sex life, and overall well-being.
A still from the Amazon series Catastrophe. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
If American entertainment portrayed more complexity facing parents in the workforce, maybe the women in Congress would have less of an uphill battle trying to pass reasonable family leave that sustains a working family. For example, in Australia's The Letdown, mothers are judged if they don't work and judged if they work too much, and stay-at-home moms are denied participation in career day at their child's school, which feels a bit more real.
"Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality."
Many of the policies put forward recently that seem like a great step for families and working mothers fall egregiously short. Ivanka Trump's six-week family leave proposal, which would deplete Social Security benefits even farther for a generation that isn't guaranteed any, simply won't cut it. Senator Amy Klobuchar's former plan, for parents to work three times the leave they took - or pay it back - certainly wasn't it either.
Though we're at an all-time record-high number of women in the workforce, America is still the only developed nation without a mandatory national parental leave across the board from employers. More exposure to the reality we face in entertainment will help to address the other large issues that continue to harm working mothers today, such as the large gender and racial wage gaps, or the limited availability and affordability of good childcare. Something American television could use more of are working moms maintaining both their identities as caretakers and contributors to their communities, and as women who adore their children and sometimes resent the burden they place on their lives. If TV better reflects our reality, maybe our political leaders will be more motivated to address it.
Show creator and star Frankie Shaw in a still from SMILF. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
There are some US television shows that are helping the cause. SMILF's struggling single mother Bridgette often has to tote toddler, Larry, to her tutoring job, and once had to leave her son with his father's girlfriend because he had to see the doctor when she had to work. Homeland's Carrie is another example of a woman striving to balance motherhood with her demanding career as a freelance ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she surrenders custody to her sister after her job overruns her ability to provide a safe environment for her daughter. This Is Us's Beth, mother of two, asks husband Randall to drop out of a political race when it seems unlikely he'll win. This moment becomes an issue in their marriage after he promised to give her the time to put her career first for once. Allowing women to make these choices onscreen opens possibilities for other women to make difficult work decisions in their own lives - and helps hold fathers accountable as equal partners in child-rearing.
American politics and popular entertainment often hinge on the family, but gendered policies and outdated tropes hurt families. When a baby is born, most men still have limited opportunity for parental leave, and those who do, don't tend to use it. Mandatory paid parental leave for fathers helps women get back to work sooner, keeps them on a leadership track, and prevents gender discrimination in the hiring process. On average, only 13 percent of companies offer paid parental leave and men are unlikely to take more than two weeks because of peer pressure in the office. Like family leave, a nationwide policy should mandate that all public men's restrooms include accommodations for changing their children's diapers. Even as we expect more of fathers than we have in previous generations, we haven't made necessary changes that encourage stay-at-home fatherhood or won't harm a two-father family. In Canada's Workin' Moms, there is a stay-at-home father who enjoys raising his daughter while his wife goes to work.
I spent the drive home from the last day of class worried over my student evaluations. I imagined a few would mention my son on the last day and how it made me less professional than other instructors, affecting my desirability to be hired by the college as an adjunct in following semesters. But as I got home and picked my oldest up from school, I reconsidered the benefits of bringing my child to a college class. I showed my students that you can have a career and a family, you can teach a class and parent at the same time, and that working motherhood is complicated, but most importantly possible. When I checked my student evaluations, not one mentioned my infant. In fact, one student said, "she is really professional and competitive."
Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality. And as our policies continue to fall behind our growth as a society, it becomes easier for this misrepresentation in our entertainment to continue. It's time to stop celebrating when a show features a female protagonist or when Congress has a record number of women elected, and start fighting for a world where a woman can run a company and a household - even a country - in all the complexity that entails, without scaling unnecessary hurdles that intend to stand in her way.
Pop Culture and American Politics Continue to Obscure Working Moms' Realities
Midge Maisel at work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
I didn't have childcare arrangements for my final class of the teaching semester. My usual sitter had a final exam, relatives were working, and back-up sitters weren't around. I called my eldest son's nursery school and arranged to pay the fee for him to stay late, but I had no one to watch my 10-month-old. I emailed the office to inform them I would have to bring my infant to class. "Sounds like you have taken into consideration that there should not be a disruption in your students' learning," the English coordinator responded. "So it should be all right."
"I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience."
I did my best to occupy my son, who whined and thrashed in my arms. I let him crawl on the dirty floor while listening to my students read from their memoir essays. Halfway through the class, I had to excuse myself to change his diaper on the floor of the women's bathroom; my office was full of other instructors meeting with students and there were no changing tables or family bathrooms available. The whole scenario felt right out of a sitcom, as my son tried his darndest to escape the small pad separating his bare bottom from the restroom tile - except I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience.
Mothers have faced scrutiny and discrimination since they've pursued equality in the workforce. Today, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 work outside the home. In the 1960s, only 11 percent of women were the breadwinners, compared to the 40 percent of working mothers who are the sole or primary household earners today, but policies like paid leave or proper nursing rooms to accommodate working mothers lag far behind the sheer number of us in the workforce.
Last year, 102 women were elected to Congress, several of whom have young children. Change on Capitol Hill began with the installation of nursing stations and changing tables, but extensive reform is needed to keep women in positions of power.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reenacts her swearing-in ceremony with her family by her side. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
A current policy bans lawmakers from using official funds on childcare needs, but the congressional schedule makes it difficult for parents to get home to relieve sitters or have dinner with their kids even three times a week. A single mother to three school-aged children, like California Democrat Katie Porter, needs childcare before and after school and during the many overnights, which could easily overwhelm her salary. Many women, like Senator Gillibrand, move their families out of the home states they serve to DC and enroll them in local schools because of the time commitment expected.
Howard and Bernadette dote over their baby on The Big Bang Theory. Photo courtesy CBS.
As is our reality, pop culture often reinforces stereotypes that make it difficult to advocate for the reform working mothers need. In wildly popular shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Big Bang Theory, children hardly factor into the storyline or, in some cases, are reduced to mere whines in the distance. It's easy to forget Howard's wife, Bernadette Wolowitz, has any children as a working mother.
Midge Maisel, an embodiment of the privileged elite, is more mythical than marvelous as she's never had to drag her kids to a nightclub because of a childcare conflict, and hardly receives pushback from her husband, parents, or community for the amount of time she spends away from her children working both a day job and a night gig. At the end of season two, when Midge decides to accept an offer to perform on a world tour for six months, she does so without hesitation or consideration for her children. As refreshing as it is to see a woman make a bold career move without thought of the family she leaves behind, it's grossly unrealistic and problematic, especially when it hurts real working women with all-encompassing careers who need employers who respect familial responsibility. As a mother watching in 2019, the scene feels highly unlikely given it's set in the late '50s. Careers like Mrs. Maisel's exist - see music artist Pink on tour with two kids - which is why it's that much more important our television breathes life back into these real-life complicated scenarios.
It may say something that many of the contemporary shows honoring the complex reality of working motherhood are produced outside of the country. In the British sitcom Catastrophe, Sharon - a grade school teacher and new mom of two - begs her principal to let her come back early from maternity leave after months of isolating childcare at home and a bout with postpartum depression. She has no qualms complaining about the drain her children pose on her body, sex life, and overall well-being.
A still from the Amazon series Catastrophe. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
If American entertainment portrayed more complexity facing parents in the workforce, maybe the women in Congress would have less of an uphill battle trying to pass reasonable family leave that sustains a working family. For example, in Australia's The Letdown, mothers are judged if they don't work and judged if they work too much, and stay-at-home moms are denied participation in career day at their child's school, which feels a bit more real.
"Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality."
Many of the policies put forward recently that seem like a great step for families and working mothers fall egregiously short. Ivanka Trump's six-week family leave proposal, which would deplete Social Security benefits even farther for a generation that isn't guaranteed any, simply won't cut it. Senator Amy Klobuchar's former plan, for parents to work three times the leave they took - or pay it back - certainly wasn't it either.
Though we're at an all-time record-high number of women in the workforce, America is still the only developed nation without a mandatory national parental leave across the board from employers. More exposure to the reality we face in entertainment will help to address the other large issues that continue to harm working mothers today, such as the large gender and racial wage gaps, or the limited availability and affordability of good childcare. Something American television could use more of are working moms maintaining both their identities as caretakers and contributors to their communities, and as women who adore their children and sometimes resent the burden they place on their lives. If TV better reflects our reality, maybe our political leaders will be more motivated to address it.
Show creator and star Frankie Shaw in a still from SMILF. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
There are some US television shows that are helping the cause. SMILF's struggling single mother Bridgette often has to tote toddler, Larry, to her tutoring job, and once had to leave her son with his father's girlfriend because he had to see the doctor when she had to work. Homeland's Carrie is another example of a woman striving to balance motherhood with her demanding career as a freelance ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she surrenders custody to her sister after her job overruns her ability to provide a safe environment for her daughter. This Is Us's Beth, mother of two, asks husband Randall to drop out of a political race when it seems unlikely he'll win. This moment becomes an issue in their marriage after he promised to give her the time to put her career first for once. Allowing women to make these choices onscreen opens possibilities for other women to make difficult work decisions in their own lives - and helps hold fathers accountable as equal partners in child-rearing.
American politics and popular entertainment often hinge on the family, but gendered policies and outdated tropes hurt families. When a baby is born, most men still have limited opportunity for parental leave, and those who do, don't tend to use it. Mandatory paid parental leave for fathers helps women get back to work sooner, keeps them on a leadership track, and prevents gender discrimination in the hiring process. On average, only 13 percent of companies offer paid parental leave and men are unlikely to take more than two weeks because of peer pressure in the office. Like family leave, a nationwide policy should mandate that all public men's restrooms include accommodations for changing their children's diapers. Even as we expect more of fathers than we have in previous generations, we haven't made necessary changes that encourage stay-at-home fatherhood or won't harm a two-father family. In Canada's Workin' Moms, there is a stay-at-home father who enjoys raising his daughter while his wife goes to work.
I spent the drive home from the last day of class worried over my student evaluations. I imagined a few would mention my son on the last day and how it made me less professional than other instructors, affecting my desirability to be hired by the college as an adjunct in following semesters. But as I got home and picked my oldest up from school, I reconsidered the benefits of bringing my child to a college class. I showed my students that you can have a career and a family, you can teach a class and parent at the same time, and that working motherhood is complicated, but most importantly possible. When I checked my student evaluations, not one mentioned my infant. In fact, one student said, "she is really professional and competitive."
Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality. And as our policies continue to fall behind our growth as a society, it becomes easier for this misrepresentation in our entertainment to continue. It's time to stop celebrating when a show features a female protagonist or when Congress has a record number of women elected, and start fighting for a world where a woman can run a company and a household - even a country - in all the complexity that entails, without scaling unnecessary hurdles that intend to stand in her way.
jeudi 28 février 2019
Pop Culture and American Politics Continue to Obscure Working Moms' Realities
Midge Maisel at work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
I didn't have childcare arrangements for my final class of the teaching semester. My usual sitter had a final exam, relatives were working, and back-up sitters weren't around. I called my eldest son's nursery school and arranged to pay the fee for him to stay late, but I had no one to watch my 10-month-old. I emailed the office to inform them I would have to bring my infant to class. "Sounds like you have taken into consideration that there should not be a disruption in your students' learning," the English coordinator responded. "So it should be all right."
"I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience."
I did my best to occupy my son, who whined and thrashed in my arms. I let him crawl on the dirty floor while listening to my students read from their memoir essays. Halfway through the class, I had to excuse myself to change his diaper on the floor of the women's bathroom; my office was full of other instructors meeting with students and there were no changing tables or family bathrooms available. The whole scenario felt right out of a sitcom, as my son tried his darndest to escape the small pad separating his bare bottom from the restroom tile - except I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience.
Mothers have faced scrutiny and discrimination since they've pursued equality in the workforce. Today, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 work outside the home. In the 1960s, only 11 percent of women were the breadwinners, compared to the 40 percent of working mothers who are the sole or primary household earners today, but policies like paid leave or proper nursing rooms to accommodate working mothers lag far behind the sheer number of us in the workforce.
Last year, 102 women were elected to Congress, several of whom have young children. Change on Capitol Hill began with the installation of nursing stations and changing tables, but extensive reform is needed to keep women in positions of power.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reenacts her swearing-in ceremony with her family by her side. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
A current policy bans lawmakers from using official funds on childcare needs, but the congressional schedule makes it difficult for parents to get home to relieve sitters or have dinner with their kids even three times a week. A single mother to three school-aged children, like California Democrat Katie Porter, needs childcare before and after school and during the many overnights, which could easily overwhelm her salary. Many women, like Senator Gillibrand, move their families out of the home states they serve to DC and enroll them in local schools because of the time commitment expected.
Howard and Bernadette dote over their baby on The Big Bang Theory. Photo courtesy CBS.
As is our reality, pop culture often reinforces stereotypes that make it difficult to advocate for the reform working mothers need. In wildly popular shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Big Bang Theory, children hardly factor into the storyline or, in some cases, are reduced to mere whines in the distance. It's easy to forget Howard's wife, Bernadette Wolowitz, has any children as a working mother.
Midge Maisel, an embodiment of the privileged elite, is more mythical than marvelous as she's never had to drag her kids to a nightclub because of a childcare conflict, and hardly receives pushback from her husband, parents, or community for the amount of time she spends away from her children working both a day job and a night gig. At the end of season two, when Midge decides to accept an offer to perform on a world tour for six months, she does so without hesitation or consideration for her children. As refreshing as it is to see a woman make a bold career move without thought of the family she leaves behind, it's grossly unrealistic and problematic, especially when it hurts real working women with all-encompassing careers who need employers who respect familial responsibility. As a mother watching in 2019, the scene feels highly unlikely given it's set in the late '50s. Careers like Mrs. Maisel's exist - see music artist Pink on tour with two kids - which is why it's that much more important our television breathes life back into these real-life complicated scenarios.
It may say something that many of the contemporary shows honoring the complex reality of working motherhood are produced outside of the country. In the British sitcom Catastrophe, Sharon - a grade school teacher and new mom of two - begs her principal to let her come back early from maternity leave after months of isolating childcare at home and a bout with postpartum depression. She has no qualms complaining about the drain her children pose on her body, sex life, and overall well-being.
A still from the Amazon series Catastrophe. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
If American entertainment portrayed more complexity facing parents in the workforce, maybe the women in Congress would have less of an uphill battle trying to pass reasonable family leave that sustains a working family. For example, in Australia's The Letdown, mothers are judged if they don't work and judged if they work too much, and stay-at-home moms are denied participation in career day at their child's school, which feels a bit more real.
"Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality."
Many of the policies put forward recently that seem like a great step for families and working mothers fall egregiously short. Ivanka Trump's six-week family leave proposal, which would deplete Social Security benefits even farther for a generation that isn't guaranteed any, simply won't cut it. Senator Amy Klobuchar's former plan, for parents to work three times the leave they took - or pay it back - certainly wasn't it either.
Though we're at an all-time record-high number of women in the workforce, America is still the only developed nation without a mandatory national parental leave across the board from employers. More exposure to the reality we face in entertainment will help to address the other large issues that continue to harm working mothers today, such as the large gender and racial wage gaps, or the limited availability and affordability of good childcare. Something American television could use more of are working moms maintaining both their identities as caretakers and contributors to their communities, and as women who adore their children and sometimes resent the burden they place on their lives. If TV better reflects our reality, maybe our political leaders will be more motivated to address it.
Show creator and star Frankie Shaw in a still from SMILF. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
There are some US television shows that are helping the cause. SMILF's struggling single mother Bridgette often has to tote toddler, Larry, to her tutoring job, and once had to leave her son with his father's girlfriend because he had to see the doctor when she had to work. Homeland's Carrie is another example of a woman striving to balance motherhood with her demanding career as a freelance ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she surrenders custody to her sister after her job overruns her ability to provide a safe environment for her daughter. This is Us's Beth, mother of two, asks husband Randall to drop out of a political race when it seems unlikely he'll win. This moment becomes an issue in their marriage after he promised to give her the time to put her career first for once. Allowing women to make these choices onscreen opens possibilities for other women to make difficult work decisions in their own lives - and helps hold fathers accountable as equal partners in child-rearing.
American politics and popular entertainment often hinge on the family, but gendered policies and outdated tropes hurt families. When a baby is born, most men still have limited opportunity for parental leave, and those who do, don't tend to use it. Mandatory paid parental leave for fathers helps women get back to work sooner, keeps them on a leadership track, and prevents gender discrimination in the hiring process. On average, only 13 percent of companies offer paid parental leave and men are unlikely to take more than two weeks because of peer pressure in the office. Like family leave, a nationwide policy should mandate that all public men's restrooms include accommodations for changing their children's diapers. Even as we expect more of fathers than we have in previous generations, we haven't made necessary changes that encourage stay-at-home fatherhood or won't harm a two-father family. In Canada's Workin' Moms, there is a stay-at-home father who enjoys raising his daughter while his wife goes to work.
I spent the drive home from the last day of class worried over my student evaluations. I imagined a few would mention my son on the last day and how it made me less professional than other instructors, affecting my desirability to be hired by the college as an adjunct in following semesters. But as I got home and picked my oldest up from school, I reconsidered the benefits of bringing my child to a college class. I showed my students that you can have a career and a family, you can teach a class and parent at the same time, and that working motherhood is complicated, but most importantly possible. When I checked my student evaluations, not one mentioned my infant. In fact, one student said, "she is really professional and competitive."
Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality. And as our policies continue to fall behind our growth as a society, it becomes easier for this misrepresentation in our entertainment to continue. It's time to stop celebrating when a show features a female protagonist or when Congress has a record number of women elected, and start fighting for a world where a woman can run a company and a household - even a country - in all the complexity that entails, without scaling unnecessary hurdles that intend to stand in her way.
Pop Culture and American Politics Continue to Obscure Working Moms' Realities
Midge Maisel at work on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
I didn't have childcare arrangements for my final class of the teaching semester. My usual sitter had a final exam, relatives were working, and back-up sitters weren't around. I called my eldest son's nursery school and arranged to pay the fee for him to stay late, but I had no one to watch my 10-month-old. I emailed the office to inform them I would have to bring my infant to class. "Sounds like you have taken into consideration that there should not be a disruption in your students' learning," the English coordinator responded. "So it should be all right."
"I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience."
I did my best to occupy my son, who whined and thrashed in my arms. I let him crawl on the dirty floor while listening to my students read from their memoir essays. Halfway through the class, I had to excuse myself to change his diaper on the floor of the women's bathroom; my office was full of other instructors meeting with students and there were no changing tables or family bathrooms available. The whole scenario felt right out of a sitcom, as my son tried his darndest to escape the small pad separating his bare bottom from the restroom tile - except I rarely see TV shows that capture the gritty truth of a working mother's experience.
Mothers have faced scrutiny and discrimination since they've pursued equality in the workforce. Today, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 work outside the home. In the 1960s, only 11 percent of women were the breadwinners, compared to the 40 percent of working mothers who are the sole or primary household earners today, but policies like paid leave or proper nursing rooms to accommodate working mothers lag far behind the sheer number of us in the workforce.
Last year, 102 women were elected to Congress, several of whom have young children. Change on Capitol Hill began with the installation of nursing stations and changing tables, but extensive reform is needed to keep women in positions of power.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand reenacts her swearing-in ceremony with her family by her side. Photo courtesy Getty Images.
A current policy bans lawmakers from using official funds on childcare needs, but the congressional schedule makes it difficult for parents to get home to relieve sitters or have dinner with their kids even three times a week. A single mother to three school-aged children, like California Democrat Katie Porter, needs childcare before and after school and during the many overnights, which could easily overwhelm her salary. Many women, like Senator Gillibrand, move their families out of the home states they serve to DC and enroll them in local schools because of the time commitment expected.
Howard and Bernadette dote over their baby on The Big Bang Theory. Photo courtesy CBS.
As is our reality, pop culture often reinforces stereotypes that make it difficult to advocate for the reform working mothers need. In wildly popular shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Big Bang Theory, children hardly factor into the storyline or, in some cases, are reduced to mere whines in the distance. It's easy to forget Howard's wife, Bernadette Wolowitz, has any children as a working mother.
Midge Maisel, an embodiment of the privileged elite, is more mythical than marvelous as she's never had to drag her kids to a nightclub because of a childcare conflict, and hardly receives pushback from her husband, parents, or community for the amount of time she spends away from her children working both a day job and a night gig. At the end of season two, when Midge decides to accept an offer to perform on a world tour for six months, she does so without hesitation or consideration for her children. As refreshing as it is to see a woman make a bold career move without thought of the family she leaves behind, it's grossly unrealistic and problematic, especially when it hurts real working women with all-encompassing careers who need employers who respect familial responsibility. As a mother watching in 2019, the scene feels highly unlikely given it's set in the late '50s. Careers like Mrs. Maisel's exist - see music artist Pink on tour with two kids - which is why it's that much more important our television breathes life back into these real-life complicated scenarios.
It may say something that many of the contemporary shows honoring the complex reality of working motherhood are produced outside of the country. In the British sitcom Catastrophe, Sharon - a grade school teacher and new mom of two - begs her principal to let her come back early from maternity leave after months of isolating childcare at home and a bout with postpartum depression. She has no qualms complaining about the drain her children pose on her body, sex life, and overall well-being.
A still from the Amazon series Catastrophe. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
If American entertainment portrayed more complexity facing parents in the workforce, maybe the women in Congress would have less of an uphill battle trying to pass reasonable family leave that sustains a working family. For example, in Australia's The Letdown, mothers are judged if they don't work and judged if they work too much, and stay-at-home moms are denied participation in career day at their child's school, which feels a bit more real.
"Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality."
Many of the policies put forward recently that seem like a great step for families and working mothers fall egregiously short. Ivanka Trump's six-week family leave proposal, which would deplete Social Security benefits even farther for a generation that isn't guaranteed any, simply won't cut it. Senator Amy Klobuchar's former plan, for parents to work three times the leave they took - or pay it back - certainly wasn't it either.
Though we're at an all-time record-high number of women in the workforce, America is still the only developed nation without a mandatory national parental leave across the board from employers. More exposure to the reality we face in entertainment will help to address the other large issues that continue to harm working mothers today, such as the large gender and racial wage gaps, or the limited availability and affordability of good childcare. Something American television could use more of are working moms maintaining both their identities as caretakers and contributors to their communities, and as women who adore their children and sometimes resent the burden they place on their lives. If TV better reflects our reality, maybe our political leaders will be more motivated to address it.
Show creator and star Frankie Shaw in a still from SMILF. Photo courtesy Everett Collection.
There are some US television shows that are helping the cause. SMILF's struggling single mother Bridgette often has to tote toddler, Larry, to her tutoring job, and once had to leave her son with his father's girlfriend because he had to see the doctor when she had to work. Homeland's Carrie is another example of a woman striving to balance motherhood with her demanding career as a freelance ex-CIA agent. Eventually, she surrenders custody to her sister after her job overruns her ability to provide a safe environment for her daughter. This is Us's Beth, mother of two, asks husband Randall to drop out of a political race when it seems unlikely he'll win. This moment becomes an issue in their marriage after he promised to give her the time to put her career first for once. Allowing women to make these choices onscreen opens possibilities for other women to make difficult work decisions in their own lives - and helps hold fathers accountable as equal partners in child-rearing.
American politics and popular entertainment often hinge on the family, but gendered policies and outdated tropes hurt families. When a baby is born, most men still have limited opportunity for parental leave, and those who do, don't tend to use it. Mandatory paid parental leave for fathers helps women get back to work sooner, keeps them on a leadership track, and prevents gender discrimination in the hiring process. On average, only 13 percent of companies offer paid parental leave and men are unlikely to take more than two weeks because of peer pressure in the office. Like family leave, a nationwide policy should mandate that all public men's restrooms include accommodations for changing their children's diapers. Even as we expect more of fathers than we have in previous generations, we haven't made necessary changes that encourage stay-at-home fatherhood or won't harm a two-father family. In Canada's Workin' Moms, there is a stay-at-home father who enjoys raising his daughter while his wife goes to work.
I spent the drive home from the last day of class worried over my student evaluations. I imagined a few would mention my son on the last day and how it made me less professional than other instructors, affecting my desirability to be hired by the college as an adjunct in following semesters. But as I got home and picked my oldest up from school, I reconsidered the benefits of bringing my child to a college class. I showed my students that you can have a career and a family, you can teach a class and parent at the same time, and that working motherhood is complicated, but most importantly possible. When I checked my student evaluations, not one mentioned my infant. In fact, one student said, "she is really professional and competitive."
Little will be done in way of real reform in our government policy if popular culture doesn't accurately reflect our reality. And as our policies continue to fall behind our growth as a society, it becomes easier for this misrepresentation in our entertainment to continue. It's time to stop celebrating when a show features a female protagonist or when Congress has a record number of women elected, and start fighting for a world where a woman can run a company and a household - even a country - in all the complexity that entails, without scaling unnecessary hurdles that intend to stand in her way.
mercredi 24 octobre 2018
For Black Women Survivors, #MeToo Is Still Falling Short
What people don't know about public sexual assault survivors like myself is that, at some point, you've got to make peace before you can help anyone, and you have to come to terms with the fact that your life was spared.
It took me 10 years to tell my story. My family had never heard it, but because of the anger I felt after learning about even more R. Kelly allegations in July 2017, I decided I needed to take down my guard, rebel against my own silence, and tell my own sexual assault story in solidarity with other black women survivors.
I worked and toured as a musician for many years before I became a full time journalist, and I was assaulted while pursuing my dreams as a musician. At the time, it was clear this attack was intended as an exchange for advancing my music career. This experience shaped my adult life, much of which I've devoted to intersectional feminism - both as a survivor and an advocate for survivors. Intersectional feminism is a form a feminism that faces the systemic issues that are unique to black women, including losing partners, family, and children to mass incarceration, police brutality, and racial discrimination.
"Despite how deeply invested men, white women, and non-survivors might be, I have a special ability to connect to black women survivors like me."
So, my life has not changed very much since the #MeToo movement emerged into the international consciousness one year ago. What happened with Harvey Weinstein wasn't the least bit surprising to entertainment professionals like myself. It was frustrating to watch to watch white, wealthy starlets overshadow the black women survivors and their families who had been coming forward to fight entertainment leaders like R. Kelly and Bill Cosby for so many years beforehand. As a musician, I was a victim of the industry and was told to do many of the things the white starlets said they were asked to do, like reveal my body or lose 15 pounds in just a few weeks. I had experience in what the women of Hollywood were revealing, and although after 10 years I felt like I was alone in my story, I felt black women had been telling these stories for years and were not believed.
My reporting on many allegations that preceded #MeToo, like R. Kelly's sexual assault allegations, continued immediately after #MeToo with more context. I spoke to women of all ages and races about their survivor experiences, but I knew it was important for the work and conversation to be led by me. As a black women and survivor, I would give more depth and perspective in the work. Despite how deeply invested men, white women, and non-survivors might be, I have a special ability to connect to black women survivors like me and other stories like my own. Continuing the reporting and conversations in my work - instead of writing as if #MeToo was a new phenomenon - was something I think #MeToo founder Tarana Burke eloquently expressed in her Twitter feed on Oct. 15, 2018.
In a series of messages, she remembered waking up to "find out that the hashtag #metoo had gone viral and I didn't see any of the work I laid out over the previous decade attached to it. I thought for sure I would be erased from a thing I worked so hard to build . . ." However, Burke said, "The most interesting thing happened over the next 24 hours. I posted a video of me giving a speech about #metoo from 2014 and that went viral. And then people began to get confused - had "white hollywood" tried to steal this from a black woman?!? . . . The short answer, No. But I was definitely in danger of being erased if you all black women and our allies and friends, didn't speak up."
The short answer, No. But I was definitely in danger of being erased if YOU ALL Black women and our allies and friends, didn't speak up. But something else happened too. I watched for hours that first day as more and more stories poured out across social media from survivors. +
- Tarana (@TaranaBurke) October 15, 2018
My sentiments were very similar when the movement began, as Alyssa Milano was given credit for opening up the conversation about #MeToo, with headlines like, "A year ago, Alyssa Milano started a conversation about #MeToo", giving her sole credit while erasing the movement's true source. Burke started the conversation 10 years ago, along with thousands of black women who had been fighting against sexual assault. But once Burke's organization, which was started to advocate the safety of black women, was "unintentionally" rebranded by white women and for white women by Milano's endorsement, the movement took off and white women in Hollywood largely took the credit.
"The opportunity on the part of the wealthy women was missed to educate the public on what these women have been doing by following up and showing up in black communities and rural communities, and investing their time and money with a hands on-approach."
This was a huge problem. The resources, safe spaces, and platforms specifically created for black women survivors were transferred to wealthy white women. This left black women with less than what they initially had via Burke's decade of efforts, which can ultimately be considered erased, since no one can truly know who she impacted during her time as a community activist. At the Golden Globes, I witnessed white Hollywood starlets truly believe they were doing their part by walking side by side with renowned international women of color activists like Burke, Rosa Clemente, Ai-jen Poo, Mónica Ramírez, and Calina Lawrence, but all they did was show their glamorous version of white feminist allyship, leaving much to be desired on their stance on black women mass incarceration, workers and farmer rights, reproductive discrimination of black women, and so on.
I am glad Burke and activists took the invitation to participate in the Golden Globes and seized a moment for visibility, but that is because in their lives, their appearances were not a means to an end. They would go back to work and continue fighting sexism and misogyny as experts and leaders in their fields, and their work will continue to be incredibly important and effective, whether they receive public recognition or not. But it seemed for the starlets, the alliances were largely for show. The opportunity on the part of the wealthy women was missed to educate the public on what these women have been doing by following up and showing up in black communities and rural communities, and investing their time and money with a hands on-approach. At the very least, there was not much media attention of the starlets' community connection and efforts. The hardworking activists were expected to come to the world of the white and wealthy. The white and wealthy were not seen working to meet the people the activists truly served: the underprivileged and disenfranchised.
Of course, Weinstein should have been held accountable, but we must do more to recognize that there were and are so many systemic sexist issues - and a rape culture that lives and breeds in our own communities - far from Beverly Hills. So, one year later, as a black woman reliving her experience with #MeToo, I am convinced that the movement still has a very limited scope of what truly needs to be fixed in the United States and around the world.
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