A lot has been said about Megan Dalla-Camina’s book “Getting Real About Having It All” released last year in Australia and now here. She surveyed 1,000 American women professionals about their well-being and reports a great deal of dissatisfaction. Gena Kaufman points out in Glamor that Dalla-Camina researched Australian men and found their responses nearly identical, but that doesn’t diminish her agreement with Anne-Marie Slaughter’s conclusion (Atlantic, 2012): “The women who have managed to be both mothers and top professionals are superhuman, rich, or self-employed.”
That’s troubling enough in itself. Added to my concern about professionals “hanging on by a thread” is the effect societal change is having on marriage and family formation. Change is expected, opportunities and satisfaction are always in flux, but the source, pace and effect of change is worth examining. Working with couples provides me great perspective on achievements and obstacles on our way to contentment. While there are no simple answers, or single chosen paths to success, active choice is essential. Letting things “fall where they may” usually leads to disillusionment and ultimately to discontent.
