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[growing_wise]

I read this very interesting article (and this research study, if you can see it) from The Chronicle of Higher Education about how having a baby affects a woman's chance at a tenure-track position in academe.

This is something that has been on my mind for a while now.  My partner and I want at least one child.  I plan on going for my Ph.D. soon

Comments

[st_crispins]

I've been in academia for about 25 years now and taught in all kinds of schools. I had my son in the second semester of my Ph.d. studies and because it was very unexpected and my profs were old friends, no one questioned my 'seriousness.' Still, I met very few women academics who were married,never mind had children.

Until now.

Two years ago, I found a tenure track position in a small urban Jesuit college and I was struck by the fact that I was surrounded by women academics who were married, had children or were otherwise engaged as family caretakers. Many have impressive academic credentials but the bottom line was: they were all like me! One woman, who was hired when I was, unexpectedly found herself preggers with a second child almost immediately and the administration was supportive and found her an interim position so she could have the baby and still balance work.

This is unheard of in the academic environments I've known.

At first, I chalked it up to simply this college but after asking around, I find that other Jesuit institutions are similarly family-friendly.

I suppose part of it is the Catholic thing (what are they going to say? have an abortion?). But I think it may also have to do with the very liberal, social justice perspective that the Jesuits take politically on most matters.

[ewaeva]

This is excellent. I'm very impressed.

And it's so nice to hear that the real situation for women is miles away from knee-jerk stereotypical reactions people might have to a place run by male, celibate, Catholic priests ;)