6th June 2010, 10:03 PM
I feel that the important issue here is not specifically maternity rights but rather should include paternity rights - and to a certain extent this then feeds into the wider issues of what is expected from employees.
I think that it is in no way aceptable to make the issue of parenthood about just women and it is just my opinion but i strongly beleive that the best way to counter descrimination against women is to allow the option for men to have the same rights and oportunities to become the primary carer as women.
Both my parter and i are archaeologists and we do BOTH face some really tough descisions in the future as to how we reconsile our career choices with thinking about families.
Archaeology - and im sorry to have a go - but as a proffession is so difficult to motivate to do anything as a group that by splintering off and making gender specific demands we depleat our limited appeal even further. As a proffession there are of course issues which affect women to a greater or lesser degree but we must work together for change. Just because my boss is male does not make him incapable of understanding that i dont want to piss in a field in full view of a load of builders and that i have periods so a toilet is vital - and if he doesnt i dont mind talking about it until he does - but then again men dont do everything standing up so! And as for PPE again the problem of it not fitting affects more women than men but it is not an exclusively female issue.
It is important to discuss these issues as often others are unaware of potential problems but it is best not approached on an us and them basis
I think that it is in no way aceptable to make the issue of parenthood about just women and it is just my opinion but i strongly beleive that the best way to counter descrimination against women is to allow the option for men to have the same rights and oportunities to become the primary carer as women.
Both my parter and i are archaeologists and we do BOTH face some really tough descisions in the future as to how we reconsile our career choices with thinking about families.
Archaeology - and im sorry to have a go - but as a proffession is so difficult to motivate to do anything as a group that by splintering off and making gender specific demands we depleat our limited appeal even further. As a proffession there are of course issues which affect women to a greater or lesser degree but we must work together for change. Just because my boss is male does not make him incapable of understanding that i dont want to piss in a field in full view of a load of builders and that i have periods so a toilet is vital - and if he doesnt i dont mind talking about it until he does - but then again men dont do everything standing up so! And as for PPE again the problem of it not fitting affects more women than men but it is not an exclusively female issue.
It is important to discuss these issues as often others are unaware of potential problems but it is best not approached on an us and them basis