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Post date: Jan 07, 2010 9:0:19 PM
Thanks to Nancy for hosting book club on Thursday, May 17, 2007.
Sophie sends this write-up:
Eleven of us gathered for the book club meeting on May 17 at Nancy's house to discuss Flux: Women on Sex, Work, Love, Kids, and Life in a Half-Changed World by Peggy Orenstein. The conversation was lively as four generations of alumnae shared their own stories of choices they had made -- and the impact they felt those decisions have had on their lives. The range of experiences shared in Nancy's living room was as wide as that of the people interviewed in Orenstein's book. Some have chosen not to have children, others are single mothers, others have had their children later in life. We also looked at how expectations and issues have changed over the past four decades: finding a "Job" after college graduation has given way to selecting and meticulously orchestrating a "Career"; staying home to raise the children seems to have evolved from being a given, to being anti-feminist, to becoming somewhat of a status symbol today. A more prominent topic today also is the dynamics of juggling children, family, and work as a lesbian couple. Overall, the group felt that women have many more choices available today. And yet, most readers identified with the women in the book, who were reluctant to assume the role of the primary breadwinner -- though the Smithies last night said they enjoy the responsibilities and independence that come from contributing to the overall family assets. The younger alumnae noted that some of the book's messages might well influence their upcoming decisions on marriage, children and work. Ultimately, the group felt that the title of the book is very accurate and that more changes in the choices women can and do make are yet to come.
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