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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 9, 2002)
1 NEls ; battah )rism : °m page ] acult y memtf entiiil agnail:- ts > Lawhorna I me to panj l s aid, “Hk involved infl the model, I, eh about how| Jstry worked," he faculty m ; m in the asses 'eal jurisdictioj ;h the exercis rise that we lau tddress,” 1 Aggielife The Battalion Page 3 • Wednesday, October 9, 2002 To work, or not to work Students debate staying home or pursuing careers after graduation ‘g om page -ause of its tie: e doesn't expe.: inology develop ate in the nei 1 removed it will givettsi ding of the fit :tions in nature, en though tl evelop no ties ■vill bring mat o the Univeratr N BRIEF P pushing estment tion (AP) iut rising e economy oor crucial electio: ans on Tuesdei i pair of tax cuts nose retiremer: stock portfolios from the cleared a corr jesday and wi the COP-cor- the Senate on them, give •ats running th nain purpose vessage. vlov. 5 vote nd control ke, Republic; uld be crucial roves ;st to ope^ t ports By Nishat Fatima THE BATTALION Lela Flores does not believe a woman’s place is in the home. Flores, a freshman general studies major, said women should not have to choose between a career and a family. “The reason why I’m getting edu cated is to work one day,” Flores said, ‘[think that it’s important to have a career. When I have children. I’ll prob ably look into some good child care programs but still make time for them and their needs. There is always room for everything when you make the time for it.” According to the U.S. government Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Current Population Reports, 50.6 percent of married mothers with achild under one-year-old were employed in 2001, while 53.4 per cent were employed in 1997. The number of employed single moms saw an increase from 43.4 per cent to 48.5 percent in the same four- year period, but married moms are sill more likely to have a job than unmar ried mothers. On May 21, 2002, USA Today reported that a 2000 census survey revealed a small decline in the number of women returning to the work force during their child’s First year of life. These mothers usually went on to resume their career when the child grew older. Dr. Barbara Finlay, director of the women’s studies department and asso ciate professor of sociology at Texas A&M, said these statistics indicate a change, but there is not a significant decrease of mothers in the work force. “There is some evidence that young mothers are waiting a bit longer when they can to return to work after having a child,” Finlay said. “However, most new mothers cannot afford to not work at all, and part time and flexible hours are not always available.” a We let go of all tradi tional gender roles in our house. We've realized that being in a family is a joint efforty and everybody has to pitch in. — David Frederick Class of 1981 Many students have different opin ions of how motherhood and career conflict can be settled, others don’t con sider full-time motherhood an option. However, many women would rather focus on their role as homemak er rather than breadwinner. Kristen Swilley, a junior finance major, said she wants to be a home maker after she has children. Swilley said when she has children she won’t be leaving them in a day care. “Day cares almost seem like a pro duction line to me,” Swilley said. “You send your kids through, let them grow up, and when you have them back, they are trained. I really want to be there every step of the way for my kids. I want to help them become who they are.” Teresa Sajewski, a freshman poul try science major, said she agrees with Swilley. “When 1 have kids. I’ll probably put my career on hold and pick it up after my kids are older,” Sajewski said. “I think that it’s very important that my children become my number one priority. I want to be there to witness all of their first words and steps.” Dr. Finlay said many people would love to stay home with their kids, but usually can’t afford it. “A lot of women plan to stay at home full time after they have kids, but they find out that its economically challenging to survive on one income today,” Finlay said. “Usually women with a high level of economic stability can manage to stay home long after they have children.” Sajewski said that if she ever has economic problems in the future, she would be willing to work during the early years of her children. “If I find myself in a situation where I have to work, then I’ll try my hardest to find a job that works around their schedule,” Sajewski said. “If I can’t do that, then I’ll probably leave my kids with a relative while I’m at work.” Many Aggie moms, such as Kenda Frederick, have had the chance to stay at home with their kids. Frederick, Class of 1981, said she stayed home and donned the role of the “traditional mom” for a while. That experience is one she wouldn’t trade for anything else, she said. “When I was in college and high school I never thought I would ever stay at home with the kids,” Frederick said. “But when I did, I got the chance to really appreciate my three children and realize the hard work it took to make them what they are today. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Though it may seem unconvention al, some Aggie dads also stay home to raise their kids. Frederick's husband David, also Class of 1981, said he has spent time as “Mr. Mom.” “I don’t think that any man out there thinks that he’ll be at home with the kids at any point of his life,” he said. “Most people think they will end up in the traditional man woman roles. RUBEN DELUNA • THE BATTALION But after working for a few years, I stayed home while my wife worked.” Mr. Frederick said sharing responsi bilities is the best way to run a family. “We let go of all traditional gender roles in our house,” he said. “We’ve realized that being in a family is a joint effort, and everybody lias to pitch in.” Chief 3r > Editor ics Editor oducer riday during W ummer session 0 The Battalion. ;M University in ,s offices are in -2647; E-m 311, rsement byW >96. 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