What defines a good role model?
Within my program, the subject of a lack of female role models comes up often. There’s a fair number of women in our psych department, but we always seem to be able to name some apparent “sacrifice” that these women have made to get where they are: divorced, still single, childless, etc. Clearly, some of these women are likely perfectly happy with their choices. For those of us who “want it all,” though, we’re not sure the role models even exist. “Maybe because it’s NOT actually possible?” – the question always comes up. The lack of female role models is upsetting because there seems to be no shortage of men who DO seem to have it all – but they also have wives who have not worked full time outside the home. All of us, we joke, could use a wife.
I think the definition of a “successful” role model is going to be different for each of us, depending on our goals. Personally, I think that there are many individuals out there that I would consider role models – I just haven’t found them because they might not be faculty in academia, or at least not faculty at a top research university. I want to find women Ph.D.s who went on to OTHER things, feel they are using their degree in at least some broad sense, and feel that they are living a balanced life. I want to see what the alternative is.
So, if you know anyone, will you let me know? I have this dream of collecting their stories. I know they are out there. This book suggests that they are, and tells some of their stories.
Well, I don’t actually have a job yet, but assuming that works out, I kinda feel like I fit your category.
Churchy stuff is more or less applied anthropology. I don’t feel like I had a clear female role model for it, though. I have a male priest mentor who really showed me how someone with a scholarly heart could be a wonderful pastor… and I had mentors in my doctoral program, male and female, who were supportive when I began to discern a path out of academia. But I don’t feel like I know anyone very much like me… guess I’ll just have to make it up as I go along. 