The so-called word career women has often carried a negative connotation. Career women are said to be, children to be unfriendly, to care only about themselves and the steep career to take care of. But is that really so? What is wrong with women wanting to be successful themselves, to be able to use their good education and to make something of their lives and not have to eke out a dreary existence behind the home stove, sustained by a man's goodwill? What is wrong with women wanting to contribute their share to the family's income and, in most cases, having to do so? Career women are usually, however, forced to choose between a life with or without children, even though they don't want to. They would prefer to be able to experience both.
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Insufficient childcare for career women
A young woman in the prime biological childbearing years—early to mid-20s—faces the decision: should I keep my life modest and small and be satisfied with having children and staying at home, or should I pursue a solid, lengthy education and climb several rungs of the career ladder? Do I risk that, by my mid-30s and in the midst of my career, I will suffer a major career setback and possibly no longer be able to have children at that age?
What about well-functioning childcare that allows flexible work in the desired profession? In Austria, it's pretty poor. Care for children under 3 is hardly possible or is frowned upon. Kindergartens close at midday or open only late. Childminders are expensive. So where should things go with the child and the career? If a woman is away from her job for three years, she loses her footing.
A career woman simply means that the woman actively contributes to the gross national product. Isn't it only fair that she shouldn't have obstacles put in her way? The working woman pays her taxes and social contributions and is not a burden on anyone's pocket, neither on a man nor on the state. Doesn't that deserve respect and support?
