Don't quit this day job. (part time mom docs)

[SoonerTexan]

We are a privileged nation (or perhaps employment group) that we can even consider that a right!

Although there are some that consider working (essentially) part-time as a full time job a right...

[corn poffi]

although there are some that consider working (essentially) part-time as a full time job a right...

this!

[SoonerTexan]

I should clarify that I meant some nations, not some people (i.e. France...although that might have changed recently) They did strike over it though!

[corn poffi]

Hahaha...I was referring my annoying co-worker who threw a fit when he was told that he would have to work 3 days a week. He claims he needs more time off to raise his kid. Which would be valid, except that his wife is a SAHM. And he's paid a full-time salary. Yes, I'm extremely bitter.

It seemed like she was saying that the taxpayers carried a huge burden to educate doctors, so they must work full time. I know I'm opening a huge can of worms, but this is like the argument that people have a right to health care. Sure, if it's available and a doctor is willing to treat you, great! But I don't believe we should force doctors to practice medicine.

That was immediately what I thought about when I read the article. We have such ambivalence about whether or not health care is a public good, and it causes all kinds of divisions of opinions.

I also agree that it's a shame that this is one more way of attacking women's choices without proposing any constructive solution towards fixing the system. I shudder reading about her discouraging young women looking for work-life balance from pursuing medicine. Medicine is one of the few careers in which one can work part-time and earn enough to offset the cost of childcare.

I don't think part time work should be a right, per se, but wouldn't it be nice if it were a more viable option? I haven't done a formal survey, but I'd say the majority of my friends with young kids are looking for some way to continue to be engaged professionally on a limited basis that allows for significant time at home with little ones. Few have succeeded, though the doctors seem to be faring better than most. Maybe if there were real choices for work life balance in careers other than medicine I'd feel differently about the author's moral imperative.

[PrincessFiona]

That was immediately what I thought about when I read the article. We have such ambivalence about whether or not health care is a public good, and it causes all kinds of divisions of opinions.

I also agree that it's a shame that this is one more way of attacking women's choices without proposing any constructive solution towards fixing the system. I shudder reading about her discouraging young women looking for work-life balance from pursuing medicine. Medicine is one of the few careers in which one can work part-time and earn enough to offset the cost of childcare.

I don't think part time work should be a right, per se, but wouldn't it be nice if it were a more viable option? I haven't done a formal survey, but I'd say the majority of my friends with young kids are looking for some way to continue to be engaged professionally on a limited basis that allows for significant time at home with little ones. Few have succeeded, though the doctors seem to be faring better than most. Maybe if there were real choices for work life balance in careers other than medicine I'd feel differently about the author's moral imperative.

Yes, yes, yes!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[reciprocity]

As to people having a right to work part-time? I dont know. There are a lot of rights that I would fight for (including healthcare tbh). Part-time employment isn't one. We are a privileged nation (or perhaps employment group) that we can even consider that a right!

The issue (as I read it) isn't whether working part-time is a right, but whether doctors should even have the right to be able to try to negotiate for a part-time position.

So not a "right to part-time" as in an entitlement to it, but a "right to part-time" as in you are free to try for that career path.

Like a right to bear arms doesn't mean free guns for everyone.