82. The issue here is whether business and government are doing enough to help meet the needs and goals of women in the workplace. I agree with the speaker insofar as many employers can do more to accommodate the special needs of women in their role as mothers. However, it seems to me that business and government are doing their fair share otherwise for women in the workplace. Women differ fundamentally from men in their child-bearing ability. Related to this ability is the maternal instinct―a desire to nurture that is far stronger for women than for men, generally speaking. At a minimum, then, businesses should acknowledge these fundamental differences and accommodate them so that a female employees job and career are not jeopardized merely for fulfilling her instinctive role as a female. More and more businesses are providing maternal leave with full benefits, day-care facilities, and job-sharing programs to accommodate these special needs of women. In my observation, however, many businesses can do more in these respects. However, beyond accommodating these fundamental differences, neither business nor government has a special duty to improve the status of women at the workplace. |