tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post3439813689650466855..comments2024-03-25T02:33:41.590-05:00Comments on FemaleScienceProfessor: Picture It: Work-Life BalanceFemale Science Professorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15288567883197987690noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-34688953764096066262013-05-09T10:39:30.613-05:002013-05-09T10:39:30.613-05:00All are terrible, but particularly # 8, I found a ...All are terrible, but particularly # 8, I found a lot resemblance with my life, balancing a lot of things simultenously and a little imbalance may disrupt the entire life system .....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-70531373486725830492013-03-03T09:27:00.556-06:002013-03-03T09:27:00.556-06:00Very funny pictures! I agree....all terrible.
My ...Very funny pictures! I agree....all terrible.<br /><br />My reaction to hearing "work life balance" these days is, ugh not again!!?! At my workplace, the phrase now substitutes for ALL issues that women might face at work. Thus there is no discussion of why women arent being promoted etc, there is only talk of how to give those poor women faculty more time off to raise their kids.<br /><br />I'm a female science prof, mid career, divorced, raising 2 kids. I can handle my work-life balance on my own, thanks. Instead, I'd like to address why I'm mysteriously not in the running for Assoc Dean of Academic affairs or Vice Dept Chair? When I complain, the guys always look at me like I have 2 heads and say that they were just considering my work life balance issues, ie they think I wouldnt have time to do anything that comes with extra work.<br /><br /> I so wish that our faculty women's group would lay off harping on work life balance and talk about other issues facing women faculty for a change. Ladies: we are not all alike!Karen Irishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12516823330044288126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-56333263315376497192013-02-04T07:20:44.798-06:002013-02-04T07:20:44.798-06:00Hahahaha I was also rolling on the floor reading y...Hahahaha I was also rolling on the floor reading your article, because myself too I was looking for such a picture. It's reassuring to see that some people on this earth (like you) do realize we're flood with not realistic illustrations.<br /><br />In the end I decided to take it with humor and chose this picture:<br /><br />http://www.google.com.mx/imgres?q=femme+au+foyer&um=1&hl=de&tbo=d&biw=1680&bih=935&tbm=isch&tbnid=uVBjZfZx7FXBEM:&imgrefurl=http://www.zazzle.fr/jai_childproofed_ma_retro_copie_a_la_maison_de_poster-228981437112961623&docid=iA2qg_DYJ3H0JM&imgurl=http://rlv.zcache.fr/jai_childproofed_ma_retro_copie_a_la_maison_de_poster-r1bf4091d245942cfba10bb65010079ac_wv9_400.jpg&w=400&h=400&ei=nrIPUZL_B-y40QGIpoH4AQ&zoom=1&ved=1t:3588,r:82,s:0,i:330&iact=rc&dur=301&sig=113989401339056817055&page=3&tbnh=187&tbnw=193&start=76&ndsp=41&tx=72&ty=59<br /><br />What do you think about it ?<br />(my context is work life balance for females, not in general)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-59644417501294392452012-12-07T05:11:37.961-06:002012-12-07T05:11:37.961-06:00Interesting post, which I found by searching on &q...Interesting post, which I found by searching on "balance images". BTW I found several cats just now - like this lovely one at night: http://www.quirkyjessi.com/2012/01/70-amazing-photos-scary-kitty-balancing.html<br />Cats are supreme balancing animals...Rhondahttp://www.riachi.org.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-37187745452699397532012-05-17T15:58:01.430-05:002012-05-17T15:58:01.430-05:00I am so glad some people are speaking up against t...I am so glad some people are speaking up against this work-life balance = family/baby issues thing. As a woman without kids, I too am tired of being excluded from career discussions as if my life is a walk in the park. I have been told numerous times to my face that my productivity is to be expected since I don't have children (never mind that I have multiple disabilities and chronic illness to deal with). Many people choose to not have children for very good reasons and many cannot have them. We are already marginalized by society but now increasingly we are being shunned in academic/career settings too. I know it sucked when young women were told babies equalled career death but the new "having it all" that necessitates having kids on top of the usual career success and anything less is scoffed at is not a step forward for women. Just because someone doesn't have a baby to juggle doesn't mean they don't have challenges in work-life balance. I find it odd that people who'd like to show sensitivity to wlb issues can be so cruel as to thoughtlessly exclude people who do not or cannot have children. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-65092969702431287292012-05-17T14:46:13.644-05:002012-05-17T14:46:13.644-05:00I see WLB 2 as a man riding a unicycle, trying to ...I see WLB 2 as a man riding a unicycle, trying to balance himself rather than balancing a "briefcase with nothing". In my mind he is enjoying life while on the way work - work-life integration.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-53168033988828018352012-05-17T12:02:13.827-05:002012-05-17T12:02:13.827-05:00I'm glad that GMP pointed out that it was a sk...I'm glad that GMP pointed out that it was a skirt, not a shirt in #5, so I don't have to.<br />#2 is awful, because the suited guy on the bicycle is riding no hands without a helmet—that's not balance, that's thrill seeking.<br /><br />I don't like any of the pictures, so I didn't vote. <br /><br />I agree with GMP that sleep is the essential ingredient for work-life balance.gasstationwithoutpumpshttp://gasstationwithoutpumps.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-73725270092948176762012-05-17T11:23:51.581-05:002012-05-17T11:23:51.581-05:00I like to believe that, in image 5, the woman is l...I like to believe that, in image 5, the woman is looking up proper ironing instructions on the internet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-9312586252360137652012-05-17T02:18:57.681-05:002012-05-17T02:18:57.681-05:00To the Anons asking which is male and which is fem...To the Anons asking which is male and which is female in #1: the one on the right has breasts (well one at least) - that screams female to me. Seems to have rounder hips too, but that could be my imagination.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-41848093421443338802012-05-16T17:26:23.577-05:002012-05-16T17:26:23.577-05:00In #5 I think she's actually ironing a skirt, ...In #5 I think she's actually ironing a skirt, so that's something I suppose. I don't really mind the juggling depictions, although the one you showed is kinda ugly. The seesaws of all sorts are ok with me too. <br /><br />Hmm, I just realized I sound surprisingly non-grumpy today. Maybe it's enough sleep? Maybe a blissfully sleeping person should be on the balance posterGMPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17872461021953583473noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-91005538132307115072012-05-16T15:35:58.737-05:002012-05-16T15:35:58.737-05:00My image would have me handing the child over to t...My image would have me handing the child over to the Dad while leaving for work!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-65430881845025071342012-05-16T15:06:19.760-05:002012-05-16T15:06:19.760-05:00AND THERE ARE NO CATS, you are quite right. Cats ...AND THERE ARE NO CATS, you are quite right. Cats (and to a lesser degree, other animals) are an important part of the balancing - and masters of it (even the girls have mastery)JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-87272255012058318232012-05-16T15:04:23.552-05:002012-05-16T15:04:23.552-05:00I hate the way most of the images assume that I, a...I hate the way most of the images assume that I, a woman, must be balancing life with children. I'm not, and it's not a positive choice I made (like anonymous at 05:05 am). I'm tired of being figuratively excluded (also where are the men with children? There are men with children - literally - all over our building at the moment thanks to some local holiday, and some apparent new rule that if you're male it's FINE to bring your little kids into a science building and just have them trot around after you looking adorable and no-one will think you're unprofessional or anything (it's still not OK for the women judging by the comments being made about one person who brought her child in and - gasp! - set him up in a corner of her office with books, drink and a snack and worked from there and MADE HER GRAD STUDENTS GO TO HER OFFICE instead of her going into the lab with her child. Disgraceful). Where are the elders?<br /><br />I chose number 6 because it was not GENDERED and the things being balanced can be whatever you like, but I liked the one with the pile of pebbles too because it did depict the real challenge - 'just one more thing' itis!JaneBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17779448611795379774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-41563933561138159022012-05-16T15:04:07.882-05:002012-05-16T15:04:07.882-05:00why does work ≠ life?
I mean, my career is a huge ...why does work ≠ life?<br />I mean, my career is a huge part of my life - a huge part of why I love my life! I also love my sport and my child and my better half... ALL of these things are life. Right?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-27508472044671028592012-05-16T14:52:22.000-05:002012-05-16T14:52:22.000-05:00I think the comments about #1 are interesting. I ...I think the comments about #1 are interesting. I thought it was obviously male center, female with baby at first glance too. But, now that I look at it more closely, the only difference that seems obvious is foot size. Clearly I have enough bias inherently in me to clearly intuit male in middle, female with child from cartoon figures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-54431736804640956692012-05-16T14:08:01.565-05:002012-05-16T14:08:01.565-05:00My vote s for #6 (or #7) because it leaves the way...My vote s for #6 (or #7) because it leaves the way people want to achieve balance up to said persons. Life does NOT equal babies.Reneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-62227717807268178552012-05-16T13:48:45.348-05:002012-05-16T13:48:45.348-05:00I went with 9 just because your description made m...I went with 9 just because your description made me laugh. <br /><br />I agree about the cats. Cat(s) = happy life. How about a cat sitting on a laptop with a spreadsheet or something behind it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-88802992043927263032012-05-16T13:33:01.227-05:002012-05-16T13:33:01.227-05:00I voted for 8 strictly on the awesomeness of your ...I voted for 8 strictly on the awesomeness of your description.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-72266901707858081012012-05-16T13:25:12.196-05:002012-05-16T13:25:12.196-05:00In WLB 1, how can you tell that this one is a male...In WLB 1, how can you tell that this one is a male figure and that one a female?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-70555277333716100292012-05-16T13:03:17.384-05:002012-05-16T13:03:17.384-05:00Wow, I really hate most of these images. The scale...Wow, I really hate most of these images. The scales really bother me (even the visually-appealing #6) - why should work and life be such incompatible and physical separate concepts? Isn't work a part of life and life a part of work? Maybe part of the problem is that we are creating a conflict rather than seeing life as something multifacetted with many bits to fit together?<br /><br />I also really think work-life balance is about much more than balancing a baby and a computer (or, ok, a job). Like several commentators I have a problem with the idea that baby=life (although I do have a child of my own). But I suppose it's better than ironing=life. <br /><br />Also, I really don't believe that work-life balance is or should be a woman-thing. Don't men also have jobs and lives? My husband has precisely the same challenges (and joys) in balancing work and life as I do.<br /><br />At first I wasn't impressed by any of the images but after looking a few times, #7 really appeals to me. There is a sense of delicate balance (of many parts, not just two) but ultimately they all fit together, and the whole is complete and calming rather than chaotic. Maybe I'll try to get a copy for my office...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-65246130575280869092012-05-16T11:41:51.016-05:002012-05-16T11:41:51.016-05:00The backwards leaning figure in the middle of #1 i...The backwards leaning figure in the middle of #1 is obviously a man and the one holding the baby is obviously a woman -- the body shapes are different, even if they are sphere-headed cartoon people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-787224137793177622012-05-16T11:39:39.660-05:002012-05-16T11:39:39.660-05:00I can't decide... They're all terrible! Th...I can't decide... They're all terrible! The one with the baby at the computer isn't *so* bad though.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-63947996424228820692012-05-16T11:33:07.568-05:002012-05-16T11:33:07.568-05:00Honestly, I'd like 9 better if it showed a man...Honestly, I'd like 9 better if it showed a man with an infant. I hate the traditional implication that "babies are women's problem". As if most women were having babies on their own or something. Surely work-life balance is (or should be) as much of an issue for fathers as it is for mothers?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-3607195572346069082012-05-16T11:30:39.315-05:002012-05-16T11:30:39.315-05:00How does one determine gender in #1? The adults b...How does one determine gender in #1? The adults both look identical to me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29059245.post-63440210817424768382012-05-16T11:29:24.598-05:002012-05-16T11:29:24.598-05:00The thing about all the balancing ones is that one...The thing about all the balancing ones is that one thing goes wrong and they collapse completely. But as the post you linked to says, it's mostly picking which ball to drop on which day (for me anyway). I would prefer something more dynamic. A weeblewobble is maybe a little too punching bag like - maybe a half pipe with work on one side and life on the other - with someone doing totally rad tricks as they hurtle between the two. It feels a lot more like barely controlled careening to me, than zen like balance!Aceonnoreply@blogger.com