Analysis: Why Men Still Can T Have It All

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College degrees, jobs, and income stream are all quantifiable items, however, a gauge on work-life balance, parenting abilities, and dedication at home cannot be measured by a number. In the past, men have been viewed as the backbone of the family. The typical day consists of getting up the earliest, going to work, coming home late at night, maybe missing out on trivial matters, but ultimately paying the bills. As time progresses, roles in households have shifted significantly. Now more than ever women are extremely active in the workforce, local communities, and politics. The obstacles faced by men and women are inherently different, but men seem to fall under an intensified microscope when it comes to intertwining family life with a career. Richard Dorment dives deep into these issues in his piece, "Why Men Still Can't Have It All." Although the argument may seem bias in favoring the rigorous lifestyle of men, the …show more content…

Dorment goes into personal detail by describing how his spouse might refold the laundry after he does it himself, or clean again after he does it. This is no longer a matter of a man not willing to step-up, but instead the personality of the relationship shining through. On an emotional note, women often find it harder to be away from their children which leaves heavily emotional baggage placed on work decisions (709). This can be chalked up to social conditioning, genetic predisposition, or emotional shallowness for men; whatever it is, may ironically, be the cost of doing business. Conversely, men are being judged as fathers in a way harder than ever before (708). Each party has hardships of its own, but it will revert back each individual's personality and the dynamic of the relationship. At the end of the day, there are no concrete answers to these endless issues so Dorment puts it best by saying, "we do the best we can"

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