Walmart or bust!

Why exactly do women go into education? Could it be they love to see the AHA on the faces of learning children? Could it be they can have a say in the life of their children at school AND at home? Is it time off for summers, vacations, weekends, etc.? Or is it the benefits provided. I would venture to say it is a combination of everything. These are all valid reasons and worth considering.

What about secretaries? They usually have weekends and nights off. They are usually provided insurance and benefits that match others. A flexible schedule is possible when they need to stay home with the kids or when trying to plan a family vacation. What about phone calls? They are able to take that “forbidden” phone call in the middle of the day. A must for many moms.

Nursing: Most income calculators base a position as a nurse or RN as just a title. We have to remember (to be fair and unbiased) that men may take their education further and vice-versa. As many know there is an average of what a person can make with minimal education and by furthering your education, you make more. It’s a fact of life. Go to school, go as far as you can and then negotiate according to the income of your peer. ASK the question… WHAT DO YOU MAKE??? (I forgot to put this in my list of rules) So many companies “forbid” it. Call bull shit – ASK

As far as the uneven pay between the sexes, I firmly believe that women need to stand up for what they want and not allow our emotions to become involved in the negotiation process. There are women who make significant amounts of money – even more than their husbands. What can we learn from these ladies? Think – Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Oprah Winfrey. There is something about these three ladies that makes me think. All three bring the will to survive, the strength, the no bull-shit attitude and ring of self-assurance. Not a single one of these women are known as so and so’s wife. Is this where girls are going wrong? Is the fairy tale of a prince charming and a white picket fence forcing women to settle for a lower pay and a lower worth. It is definitely something to consider when plopping the kiddos in front of the television for a good ole showing of Cinderella. Think twice ladies.

I think my final comment about income and job disparities is: We NEED teachers, psychologists, and secretaries. We need restaurant workers. We need people to work at Walmart. There is always going to be someone making less in a lesser occupation. What we CAN do, as women, is to forgo that job in these professions or to demand change in those occupations that put demands on us.