Return of the Blog

I’ve been telling my friends and family for a long time now how I want to blog again and I’ve been telling myself the same thing for even longer. It’s been a little less than two years since my last post, so please bare with me as I get back into the groove of things.

Last week I read an article in which the Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi says that women can’t have it all. As we enter our late twenties (gulp) this topic has come up amongst my group of friends a few times. And yet, none of us are married and we definitely don’t have kids. I think this goes to show just how much “having it all” is something that is on every young woman’s mind, no matter what stage they are in life.

While I do respect Nooyi’s candor, women are so often told that they can’t pursue certain careers, hold positions of power, or even worse, they grow up internalizing these same beliefs, that for her (especially as a South Asian woman) to state women can’t have it all does nothing to contribute to the conversation. Instead it makes us women believe that this is our fate and that nothing we can do will change that. I wouldn’t want Nooyi to lie and say that having it all is easy, but she should keep in mind that she is a role model for many and that her words have an impact.

It is also worth noting that these kinds of questions are asked to women only. You never hear of a male CEO getting asked how he balances his career and family life. It’s a shame that it’s 2014 and yet these same questions are being asked. The way that we portray gender and gender roles in the media is something that desperately needs fixing.

What do you think of Nooyi’s interview?

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4 thoughts on “Return of the Blog

  1. Great post! Very topical!

    And I agree there is a double standard still, but I also agree with Indra’s broader point – you can’t have it all (man or woman). You gotta make choices, sacrifices, and be content with what you choose

  2. Great post, Ami! Gender discrimination is a sad truth. Personally, I think “having it all” is relative. In regards to the general meaning of it, though, I agree – nobody can have it all. I don’t think it’s feasible and realistic. You have to make your choices, and decide what your priorities are.

    Dhruvi
    Stilettos & Sequins

    • Thanks, Dhruvi! Your comment reminded me of a quote I came across a while ago “having it all means knowing when you do”. Definitely something to keep in mind as strive to reach the ideal balance for ourselves.

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