I, too, have been following this discussion on having children and the effect
on womens scientific careers.
I would like to get some input on this scenario, since having children is a
strong desire of mine, but so is a successful scientific career. My boyfriend a
nd I are 250 miles apart, both pursuing PhDs, me in Biology, him in Marine Scie
nce. We definitely plan on getting married as soon as one of us finishes the
degree and can move to where the other one is. We see no sense in a marriage
that is separated by 250 miles, I mean, circumstances changing *after* youve
been married is one thing, but purposely getting married if youre not physicall
y together going in and you know therell be that distance for 2-3 years????
Anyway, he and I have often had this discussion about when to have kids, becaus
e we both would like to have 1 or 2, but we are both also quite *in love* with
our careers, if you will. Someone raised the point that it wouldnt be a good id
ea to have children while youre doing your post-doc because of the importance o
f publishing, and excelling in your field at that time. Then, once you land a
tenure-track position in a University, which is what we both want to do, youre
scrutinized under the microscope of the system as far as your achievements and
productivity as a scientist, so who would have time then? But then if you wait
too long, and get in the 35+ years old category, youre at a higher risk, plus
being the mother of a teen during my fifties????? Hmmmmm.....(higher risk of
pregnancy problems, by the way, for the purists of written completeness...;) )
Im 27 now, BTW.
Ive often wondered whether there is any sense in a halt between post-doc and
starting a tenure-track position for the pursuit of a family. Would this be det
rimental to ones scietific career? I mean, is that going to be looked upon in a
negative way when youre sitting there during your interview and youre asked
Why this gap? And you say: Well, I stopped to have a baby... ? Is that going to
come back and haunt you?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. This subject is so important to me. :)
Marivonne Rodriguez
N052FG at TAMVM1 (BitNet)
N052FG at TAMVM1.tamu.edu (InterNet)
