So what should be done? Can't just wallow in our sadness. What reforms at the university level would we like to see instituted? (On Thursday, we'll talk about broader political and social reforms)
Ianqui kindly sent me a Chronicle article in which the author gives advice about what kind of institutions future mothers should seek out. Some universities are more accomodating than others. [It's not on line yet, so I'll give you the highlights.]
Because the average age of female Ph.D. recipients is 34; because female assistant professors with children typically spend 90 hours or more per week on their job, housework, and child care; and because the flexibility in the timetable for earning tenure is limited, female graduate students who would like to have both children and an academic career should think carefully about when and where to have a baby -- long before they seek their first job.
The author says that women should seek employment at public college or university, because they are more likely than private ones to have policies for maternity and child-rearing leave that meet the minimum standards of federal law. Women should look for an institution with a written policy for maternity and child-rearing leave and with a generous leave policy. Women should only offer accept offers that come with a private office to tuck away a small infant or to breastfeed. Women should seek out institutions with day care on or near the campus, where senior colleagues regularly bring their
children (of all ages) to work, and where the norm is faculty colleagues who are proud of having lives outside of work.
Of course, the author assumes that most job candidates are awash in job offers. Most people on the market I think are just happy if they get one offer.
What kinds of programs would parents like to see instituted at universities?