Lactating in Lackawanna
Dear Linda,
I am a thirty year old wife and mother. I have been in graduate school for eight years off and on, mostly off in the last five years. I tried to finish my dissertation while getting married and having a baby (my daughter is one and still nursing), but I am not making much progress. I have great doubts about the academic life anyway. My sociology professors at [Ivy League school] were so focused on their writing and so indifferent to the students. I certainly wouldn’t want a single-mindedly ambitious life like theirs. But I am a feminist and I don’t think I will be happy staying home all the time. What should I do?
Lactating in Lackawanna
P.S.
My husband, who is also thirty, is incredibly busy working his way up the ladder at the law firm and isn’t around much to help.
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A Little from Linda:
Dear Lactating (and everyone else out there)
SOUND FAMILIAR?
It’s easy for me to prescribe broad changes for a whole society, often so hard for you to fit them onto your life. But I have met dozens of girls and women who want guidance so they do not wind up “At home in Brooklyn taking care of our daughter” as my Times groom described his Ivy League educated, Master of Arts, full time stay at home spouse. Write to me. Tell me the details of your situation. Get some advice before you make a decision it’s hard to rescind. Meet others in your situation.
L.
P.S. Meanwhile, don’t have that second baby 'til you call me.