All Women are Defective!

Look up the word defective in the dictionary. It’s an adjective meaning imperfect or faulty. And faulty is defined as working badly or unreliably, having or displaying weaknesses. So, you’re probably thinking – wow – really? That is an unexpended and potentially offensive episode title for the Advancing Women Podcast. It is provocative, for sure, but it is meant to punctuate the messaging we as women experience. When we consider perceptions of women through the social-cultural lens as it relates to our life choices related to work, advancement, and family – the message tends to imply imperfect, faulty…defective in some way, regardless of the choices we as women make and the paths we take.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a working mom, or a woman who has chosen not to have children – if you have ever felt like your choices have resulted in judgement, then this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

And…if you work, then come home and feel like you are starting your “second shift” you are not alone. The “second shift” refers to the household and childcare duties that follow the day's work. Plentiful research shows that despite women being more educated and more employed than ever, they are still taking on most of the household and familial duties. And it’s not just about chores and childcare; women are also much more likely to be the ones who care for sick or elderly parents. This is episode discusses this very real imbalance that has negative consequences for women’s professional advancement. This episode also addresses how Tug of War Bias can sneak in. Where bias against women can foster conflict amongst women and what we as warriors can do to interrupt those negative patterns.