Wharton Professor Corinne Low Explores the 'Squeeze' on Women in New Book
In her recently published book titled 'Having It All', Corinne Low, a gender economist and associate professor of business economics and public policy at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, delves into the pervasive challenges women face. She describes a phenomenon she terms the 'squeeze', where women are caught between peak career advancement and the demands of new parenthood, often feeling overwhelmed by competing responsibilities.
Personal Experience Drives Research and Insights
Low was motivated to write this book based on her own lived experiences. She found herself in what she calls 'the squeeze', a period marked by intense career pursuits, such as commuting and striving for tenure, while simultaneously raising a newborn. This dual pressure led to feelings of inadequacy across all areas of life. However, her academic research revealed that this struggle was not unique to her but a widespread issue affecting women globally. By analyzing data, Low recognized that these constraints are structural and universal, prompting her to advocate for self-created solutions to empower women.
Debunking Three Major Myths About Women's Roles
Low identifies and challenges three prevalent myths in her work. First, she disputes the notion that 'things will get better on their own'. While acknowledging global progress for women, she highlights concerning trends, including increased parenting time that disproportionately burdens working mothers and stagnant changes in men's domestic roles despite women's advancements in the workplace.
Second, she refutes the idea that women need to emulate men to succeed professionally. Her research indicates no evidence that male styles are superior for profitability; in fact, women often excel as negotiators compared to men.
Third, Low counters the belief that being a good parent requires doing it all. She emphasizes that children value authentic connections over hectic schedules or social media-perfect activities. By prioritizing quality, low-stress time together, families can achieve better outcomes.
The Impossibility of Perfection and Economic Frameworks
Low argues that striving for perfection in both career and home life is structurally unattainable, especially in demanding jobs that require over 50 hours weekly. Instead, she encourages women to focus on sustainable and meaningful lives, offering practical strategies in her book. She also applies economic concepts, such as the utility function, to help women define personal happiness. This framework suggests that individuals maximize their own 'profit' or utility based on unique priorities, and comparing oneself to others with different values can lead to unnecessary feelings of failure.
Unconventional Advice and Policy Recommendations
Low advises women to identify their personal definitions of success and happiness, making choices that align with their well-being rather than societal expectations. She stresses that real empowerment comes from rejecting contradictory standards imposed on women. On a broader scale, the 'squeeze' has significant economic impacts, including loss of skilled labor and reduced diversity in leadership. To mitigate this, Low recommends policies such as:
- Subsidized childcare programs
- Paid parental leave for both parents
- Structured work arrangements
- Stronger protections against career penalties during child-rearing years
These measures aim to prevent women from being forced to choose between family and career, fostering a more inclusive economy.
