Navigating the 'Squeeze': Women in a Male-Dominated Workforce

crypto In 2017, Corinne Low welcomed her son into the world, feeling that her life was on the right trajectory. As a tenure-track economist at the prestigious Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, she was pursuing a career she had long aspired to. Residing in New York City with her husband and stepchild, the two-hour commute to Philadelphia was inconvenient but manageable. Low was determined to embody the ideal of a working mother, achieving a balance between her family and her professional aspirations.

However, as track repairs significantly extended her commute time, the illusion of balance began to crumble. Instead of returning home in time to tuck her baby son into bed, Low found herself in an Amtrak bathroom, sobbing while using a breast pump. This poignant moment prompted her to seek a term that could encapsulate the overwhelming pressures faced by many working mothers. Thus, she coined the phrase “the squeeze,” a concept supported by data reflecting how women often experience burnout while juggling the demands of work and home, particularly during the early years of parenting.

Throughout her career, Low has dedicated herself to understanding the complexities of women’s experiences in a workforce that has historically favored men. In her newly released book, Having It All: What Data Tells Us About Women’s Lives and How to Get the Most Out of Yours, she explores how societal structures often fail to adequately support working women.

Navigating the 'Squeeze': Women in a Male-Dominated Workforce Low describes her book as a “love letter to women,” aiming to reassure them that the challenges they face are not a reflection of their personal shortcomings but rather a result of systemic issues. A substantial portion of the book provides guidance for women to define what “having it all” means for themselves amid persistent societal expectations regarding work and family life.

In an interview with The Guardian, Low emphasized that women are economic agents, just as men are. They make rational choices to optimize their outcomes, a concept that may seem apparent yet has been largely overlooked in economic discourse. Low noted, “When we think about the fact that women spend, on average, more time outside the labor force and spend more time with children, we’re like: ‘Oh, well the gender wage gap is because women have different preferences, and this is their choices.’”

Intel's Strategic Wins: A New Era of Growth and Investment Low argues that women’s economic contributions have often been underestimated. Traditionally, the work performed by women at home has been significantly undervalued compared to the earnings of their male counterparts. Economists like Low have pointed out that tasks such as childcare, laundry, cleaning, and cooking constitute a full-time job in their own right. When women specialize in these home duties, it allows their husbands to concentrate solely on their careers, leading to an income that can support the entire family.

While this arrangement may appear logical—two individuals each fulfilling a full-time role—economists highlight that it relies heavily on the stability of the relationship. Low raises an important point: “It’s no coincidence that women entered the workforce right when divorce rates began to climb.” This shift in family dynamics has significant implications for women's economic status and their contributions to the labor market.

Low's research underscores the need for a reevaluation of how work and home life are structured to better accommodate the realities of modern women. This includes recognizing and valuing the work women do, both in their careers and at home. By challenging established norms and advocating for changes that support women’s roles in both spheres, society can begin to bridge the gap that has long existed.

Corinne Low’s insights and her book serve as a call to action for both individuals and policymakers. By understanding the economic realities and challenges faced by women, society can create a more equitable environment that allows women to thrive in their work and personal lives. Ultimately, the journey to a more inclusive workforce is one that requires collective effort, and it starts with acknowledging the systemic barriers that continue to exist.