Career and Family

August 23, 2021
Harvard economics professor Goldin (Women Working Longer) examines the obstacles that prevent women from “having it all” in this clear-eyed and evidence-based study. Disputing the idea that women need to “lean in” to advance their careers, Goldin draws on employment surveys, census records, and other large data sets to show that because women are expected to bear the brunt of child-rearing duties, they don’t have time for the extensive travel, client entertainment, and 60-hour workweeks that lead to career success in fields such as law and accounting. As a result of working fewer hours than men in order to have enough time for childcare, women tend to miss out on promotions and earn less, on average, than their male peers. Goldin refers to the phenomenon as “greedy work” and cites the example of the pharmacy industry, where there is virtually no pay gap between male and female pharmacists and few incentives for pharmacists to work extra hours, as proof that requirement doesn’t need to exist, even within high-paying professions. Combining diligent research with acute observations, accessible case studies, and practical solutions, this is a refreshing take on a pernicious social problem.

Starred review from August 27, 2021

In this latest work, Goldwin (Henry Lee Professor of Economics, Harvard Univ.; Women Working Longer) seeks to address the issues faced by women today, focusing on American women who are college graduates and have had many opportunities for career advancement. In her study of the historical background of women college graduates, Goldin uses case studies to illustrate the opportunities women had during specific time periods during the 20th century. For example, Jeannette Pickering Ranking, who became the first woman elected to a federal position (1916), never married and had children. Today, many women have families and are elected to public office, as in the case of New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Goldin analyzes challenges faced by women, including balancing career and family life, and examines the impact of capitalism and the expectation of working long hours for little pay. Historically and today, in heterosexual marriages, women are generally the ones making career sacrifices, Goldin states, and she urges men to be more supportive in their private relationships and when voting for public policies. Using statistics and other research, Goldin analyzes possible solutions and trends for the future while also studying the impact of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. VERDICT A thorough look at the historical and socioeconomic causes of disparity in salaries and opportunities between men and women, with practical solutions. Highly recommended.--Lucy Heckman, St. John's Univ. Lib., Queens Village, NY

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