'Braindeath' - I think what the questionarire may have been getting at was whether contractors (archaeological) discriminated against women who may or may not have babies on terms of pay and conditions. It is not only in this profession that this is an issue. Many companies resent having to pay any salaries to people (be they men or women) who are not actually working for them because they have decided to become parents.
I am not a parent myself, and hence I am hesitant to come forward with the view that other members of staff who have children seem to have a certain 'parent card' that is played - no, I can't do that, because 'Johnny is on half term', or no, 'I can't do that because the school is closed today. '. But that is another issue. Because I am known to have 'no children' it is assumed I will get up at crack of effing dawn to drive 3 hours to a site and stay however long is necessary. If I replied and said 'sorry, I have to drop my kids off at 8 and pick them up at 4' then - as a woman - they would have to suck it up. If you're the man, then, they may have an issue with that (ie, 'isn't your wife/girlfriend/partner looking after your kids?'). Is that fair? Discuss.................
Ultimately, if you are in a job that requires you to work away from home at short notice, then you either do it or you don't. Man or woman. If you have a family, then the profesion you wish to continue with or take is up to you.
Personally, I believe that a woman deserves to have their job secure and not be threatened simply because they choose to preserve the human race by having children. Times have changed so much since the 1980s and I am glad that legislation is what it is.
Going (eventually) back on topic, yes, I found the questionaire a little contrived, but if you are a man reading the questionaire (and please, gentlemen, don't be fooled - your 'questionaire' was there to prevent you from complaining bitterley about how hard your life is - in a forum) than that's life.
I am not a parent myself, and hence I am hesitant to come forward with the view that other members of staff who have children seem to have a certain 'parent card' that is played - no, I can't do that, because 'Johnny is on half term', or no, 'I can't do that because the school is closed today. '. But that is another issue. Because I am known to have 'no children' it is assumed I will get up at crack of effing dawn to drive 3 hours to a site and stay however long is necessary. If I replied and said 'sorry, I have to drop my kids off at 8 and pick them up at 4' then - as a woman - they would have to suck it up. If you're the man, then, they may have an issue with that (ie, 'isn't your wife/girlfriend/partner looking after your kids?'). Is that fair? Discuss.................
Ultimately, if you are in a job that requires you to work away from home at short notice, then you either do it or you don't. Man or woman. If you have a family, then the profesion you wish to continue with or take is up to you.
Personally, I believe that a woman deserves to have their job secure and not be threatened simply because they choose to preserve the human race by having children. Times have changed so much since the 1980s and I am glad that legislation is what it is.
Going (eventually) back on topic, yes, I found the questionaire a little contrived, but if you are a man reading the questionaire (and please, gentlemen, don't be fooled - your 'questionaire' was there to prevent you from complaining bitterley about how hard your life is - in a forum) than that's life.