This is a reaction to "Why Women Still Can't Have it All", written by Anne-Marie Slaughter. What Anne describes as "Having it all" in modern America is the combination of the classic old timey homemaker and the business professional. Both of these positions have their benefits, and many argue that it is possible to succeed at both. The homemaker has family time, she gets to see her children and play a large role in their childhood. The professional earns her own money and commands respect from her peers.

Anne has experience mostly with being a professional. She was a law professor at Princeton University and spent two years in Washington D.C. working with top government officials on foreign affairs. However, she left her job in D.C. primarily to help raise her two teenage sons, of whom her husband had been doing the majority of parenting. She did return, however to work in academia as a dean at Princeton.

Anne's argument on why women can't have it all mainly stems from the fact that there just isn't enough time. Being a homemaker is a full time job, and being a top government or educational professional is often more than full time. She explains that many of the women who have careers as successful as her's rely on full time nannies in order to raise their children, if they have any.

Many top female government officials choose not to have families because of these challenges. High level professionals have schedules that aren't flexible and necessary travel, and all of this disrupts family time. CEO's don't work 9-5, many work from 5-9. The only time available for necessary obligations such as grocery shopping is on the weekends, conflicting with time that is usually spent with family.

I agree with Anne on the issue of time preventing women from having it all. Everybody has busy schedules. I find it hard enough to balance schoolwork and club sports, I can't imagine balancing a successful career and raising a family.

Question: Do you think it is possible for women to have it all?