Comments for Motherhood, The Elephant in the Laboratory

Comment on AAAS 2008: Aiming Higher: The How and Why of Advancing Women in Agricultural Sciences by Air Force Lesbians

Air Force Lesbians — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:15:12 +0000

any news coming ?

Comment on About the Project by Thoughts on a Science Writing Career from 17 Science Writers « Career Development for Scientists

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:50:12 +0000

[...] Emily Monosson, editor of the recent anthology,“Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory: Women Scientist Speak Out” recently asked 17 science writers what they thought about their careers. The answers were posted on The Alternative Scientist, and make for interesting reading. Virtually all of them agree that science writing, or communicating about scientific issues to various groups, isa satisfactory and even necessary way to spend their time, and none feel they have abandoned science. Thanks to The Bean-Mom for posting this. [...]

Comment on Excerpts: Finding My Way Back to the Bench: An Unexpectedly Satisfying Destination by sandrar

sandrar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:37:44 +0000

Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. Cheers! Sandra. R.

Comment on Creativity in Science Careers: why I love AAAS by Mary Aloe

Mary Aloe — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:02:28 +0000

Hello, New here. Thanks Mary Aloe Proud Mary Entertainment

Comment on Success is how you define it… by Bill Bartmann

Bill Bartmann — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 21:45:43 +0000

Cool site, love the info.

Comment on Motherhood, the Elephant (the book) by Emily

Emily — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:10:21 +0000

Hi Gumgirl, you definitely are not alone. I hope the book helps. I have similar memories of being in the lab with my infant son and feeling like I could do it all. And some days I could. But, I eventually opted for part-time work. It hasn’t always been easy to sustain a career this way – and now that the kids are somewhat grown (now ages 13 and 15) I’m glad I’ve hung on to the career. Did I loose something? Maybe. I did love lab work and discovery. What a feeling with you know you are the first to pull together and interpret some obscure bit of information. On the other hand, as a consultant and writer – I still get to pull together information, sometimes in novel ways – and I love to do that as well. The downside — it’s definitely not a secure way to work – it takes a good deal of effort to keep in the game.

Comment on Motherhood, the Elephant (the book) by gumgirl

gumgirl — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:08:13 +0000

What a classic picture on the cover. It reminds me when I was finishing my Masters degree in Biology, how I would have my 12 month old on one hip, and my multi-channel pippet in the other. I too had to take maternity leave and stop my research for my degree. I had to take my daughter to the lab several times, giving her plastic tubes, and entertaining her with blown up blue gloves. Eventhough those were very difficult times, I treasure the memory for its insane duality. Super momma in the lab, conducting important research whilst toddler toddles around the lab. “I can do it all” I thought. Well now 3 years later and a new baby boy, I realize I cannot do it all, and being back at work, I am torn. Wishing I was home with my children. “Why am I here”, I find myself asking? Everyone I talk to says I would be crazy to quit my job, in such a horrible economic time, I make good money and hours are flexible. They dont understand the deep inner pain I feel, the longing to hold my babies throughout the day, it is too the point to be distracting. Thank you oh Thank you for writing this book, I am going to read it as soon as I can get my hands on it. I know I am not alone in this science mommy thing, but I feel it sometimes.

Comment on Full-time Scientist VS. Stay-at-home Mom by mommymakingmoney lei

mommymakingmoney lei — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 09:39:39 +0000

there are few things stay at home mom should be proud of, its the way you do it, you can still keep in touch with your friends more than anybody else,also, you can get in touch with your creative side.finding time for yourself is impotant

Comment on Motherhood, the Elephant (the book) by red high heel shoes

red high heel shoes — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:55:49 +0000

YAA Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You

Comment on The Nature of a review by Shelley A. Adamo

Shelley A. Adamo — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:06:10 +0000

Missing Mothers No Myth
I was also unimpressed with the review of your book in Nature. Below is my letter to the editor which was also unpublished due to lack of space.

Dear Editor,
Below is a comment on a recent book review published in Nature (Urry, M. “Myth of the Missing Mothers”. Nature 458, 150-151 (March 12, 2009). doi: 10.1038/458150a URL: http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.dal.ca/nature/journal/v458/n7235/full/458150a.html).

Missing Mothers No Myth.

In the U.S., women who have children within 5 years of their Ph.D. are significantly less likely to obtain tenure than women who delay or forgo having children(1). Therefore, Urry’s dismissal of motherhood as a major factor contributing to the dearth of women in science (“Myth of the Missing Mothers”, Nature, 458:150) is perplexing. Urry(2) bolsters her claim that motherhood is no barrier to women in science by pointing out that grocery cashiers and medical doctors can combine both motherhood and career. These comparisons are specious. Cashiers do not compete for scarce appointments, grants and international recognition. Women scientists with children are competing against others who can, and do, put more time into their profession(3). Women in business, also a competitive arena, suffer a similar problem(4). Female physicians have long hours too, but they have three advantages. First, medicine pays much better than academia in North America, allowing more childcare options (e.g. nannies). Second, physicians in some specialties can practice part time while their children are small. Women scientists who work part-time have reduced productivity, decreasing their competitiveness for academic positions and extramural funding. Third, women in medicine are more likely to work in the same city in which they grew up than are women scientists. Therefore women physicians are more likely to have the support of an extended family to help raise the children.
The type of barriers facing women in science will vary depending on the country. However, to assert that motherhood does not impact a woman’s career, especially in North America, is damagingly misleading. It flies in the face of available evidence and will only make it more difficult for those of us who are trying to make it easier for women to do both.

1. Mason M.A. & Goulden M. Academe, 88, 21 (2002).
2. Urry, M. “Myth of the Missing Mothers”. Nature 458, 150-151 (March 12, 2009). doi: 10.1038/458150a URL: http://www.nature.com.ezproxy.library.dal.ca/nature/journal/v458/n7235/full/458150a.html
3. Mason M.A. & Goulden M. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 596, 86 (2004).
4. Glass, J.L. & Estes, S.B. Ann. Rev. Sociol. 23, 289 (1997).