April 27 - May 3, 1995

WORKING GIRL: I asked the woman in the Governor's Office for Women if they were observing today's Take Your Daughter to Work Day, and she said, "All of our daughters are grown up, thank God." Ooh, is this the we've-done-the-breast-pumping-in-the-bathroom-and-now-we're-done- with-it-routine? "We participated last year but we're just too busy this year."

That's too bad. The Ms. Foundation, sponsor of the nationwide event, says 25 million people participated last year, one out of every six adults. Many of those participating were baby boomer men intent on seeing their daughters succeed.

So what's this in the mail: SURVEY REVEALS BURNED-OUT MOMS GOING HOME. "CAN'T DO IT ALL!" screams the press release from Phoenix researcher Cathy Chamberlain, who surveyed 600 Arizona women for Today's Arizona Women Success Magazine. Her survey shows that 13 percent of women have left the work force to stay home and that 64 percent of respondents believe others who have not left work haven't because they can't afford to.

Jill Savitt, of the New York-based Ms. Foundation, utters a tight groan. National trends don't show this, she says, and in fact show the contrary. Barbara Gutec, UA Professor of Management and Public Policy, agrees, saying "These stories keep coming up but they do not jibe with good government statistics." She says the number of young women in the workforce has risen and more women in prime child-bearing years are working as well, a change over the last 20 years.

Regarding burnout, Savitt says, "Men are under the same stresses women are but you don't hear about burned-out fathers." She says men don't have a chance to show they care about their families and in fact often lie when they have to do a kidrelated job like a teacher's conference.

Savitt is taking her husband's boss' daughter to work today. Last year the girl went to her father's bank. Throughout the country many girls of color, specially-abled and low-income girls have also been paired with mentors. Guess the Guv's office didn't think of that. At least they didn't go with the fringe group out of Arkansas holding a Take Your Daughter Home Day today.

A survey like Chamberlain's, with her press release announcing burnout, burns me. It was heavy on non-working women--47 percent did not work outside the home, 14 percent were retired. And the sample is too small, says Gutec. Working Women Count , a report out of the Guv's office last year, at least showed changes working women want. Now if only Symington will push for affordable child care, flex time, family leave and healthcare benefits for men and women.

Add to that disposable clothing and better tasting liquid meals we can throw on the table and we'll be all set.

Back to work, warriors.

April 27 - May 3, 1995

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