Postponing the biological clock
Recently, big name companies like Facebook, and Apple, have declared that they will support their employees in big ways – by covering the costs of fertility treatments, sperm donors, adoption, and egg freezing. This is a big move forward and, in my opinion, is a step in the right direction. Not all people want to have children, but those that do shouldn’t have to choose between a successful, demanding career over a family. It is great to know that some companies are taking a stance, and speaking up about these serious, life changing issues – anything that sparks conversation about otherwise private issues always has the opportunity to cause a positive outcome.
This is a topic that I think about often. Do I go back to school, and spend years of my life and thousands of dollars to achieve what I hope would be a steady, well paying job that I love? Or, do I work as hard as I can right now to make something of myself with the education and experience I already have? My career is important to me – as it is to the majority of people – but if I want to have a family, what does that mean for my career? Can I have both? And, how?
Graduating from university later than most, I am already in my late 20s, and although I am not ready for children right now, I do realize that my so-called biological clock is ticking. Men have a bit of an easier time with this; their clocks tend to tick for a whole lot longer, making it easier for them to have children later in their life without worrying about the physical consequences, and without risking getting ahead in their careers. Men and women have different decisions to make when it comes to family and career planning – with technological advancements, we may soon be on a more level playing field.
I am not saying that freezing my eggs is something that I would want to do – I think that the companies that have implemented these changes are encouraging female employees to really think about what they want instead of about what they can do until it’s time to begin having children. So many women have to put their careers on hold to have children, and for those who want to – good for you; but for those who are passionate about both their children and their careers; you should be able to make that decision and not be penalized financially for it.
The decision to help those who want to have children – whether they need treatments, are looking for sperm donors, looking to adopt, or want to make something of their career without having to completely forget about having children – is noble, and I think that these companies are doing a great service to their employees. It really shows that these companies do care about their employees, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or age.
As a woman who at some point does want to have a family, but also wants a career that I am passionate about, I think that these companies have really enabled their female employees with the ability to make decisions based on what they really want, rather than what they physically have to do. This decision will not help all women – since this is not the norm just yet – but who knows what the future holds? Beginning the conversation is the first step in recognizing that this is a major issue that female professionals need to think about.