In response to David Hovenden’s Human Resources magazine editorial (23 August 2005). I could not agree more with your opinion that Gen X and Y gaps are overstated, and purely fuelled by responsibilities and lifestyles of the generation ‘incumbent’
In response to David Hovenden’s Human Resources magazine editorial (23 August 2005).
I could not agree more with your opinion that Gen X and Y gaps are overstated, and purely fuelled by responsibilities and lifestyles of the generation ‘incumbents’. For some time I have had the perhaps cynical view that ‘the need to address’ Gen Y issues in particular, could simply be interpreted as research company speak for their seeking to expand the extent and importance of their own niche market.
Of course, express this view publicly and you are likely to be branded as not being savvy to current HR and general employment trends! What ever happened to simply addressing the preference and lifestyle requirements of each individual as best as each employer/manager can?
Much ado about nothing, really. It is this sort of generation gap babble that creates derision of HR from our operational manager counterparts!
– Gabriel Wilkins, organisational development consultant, Transfield Services
Contention over childless-by-choice women
I thought the letter to the editor (9 August 2005, page 4) was rather harsh upon us “childless-by-choice women”, calling us selfish, self-centred and completely incapable of self-sacrifice.
Irrespective of whether a woman chooses to have children or not, that is her business. The fact that some women decide to take a victim mentality about the plight of motherhood (going to work when kids are sick, never having a good night’s sleep, etc, etc.) is simply a matter of choice. If you choose to do these things then get on with it and don’t be a whinger, as you accuse Susan Borg and all other women who choose not to have children. My philosophy is ‘each to her own’ so stop wasting our time with your complaints and your labelling of women who choose to remain childless.
Lastly, as a childless-by-choice professional who is now married to a partner who has three young ones (two children by his ex-wife and one child by an ex-de facto), my partner and I are very involved with these children and we have shared care of the youngest child. Since this has happened, I’ve had a lot of interrupted sleep, taken time off work to help my partner care for his child, and have sacrificed a lot of my own time to be with the kids and to help my partner financially due to the large amount of money he has to fork out to pay his ex’s for child support. I don’t get any benefits from the government, no rent subsidy, no tax breaks, nor any special consideration from work, and yet you don’t see me complaining. I simply made this choice and now I’m living with it.
So, instead of telling us your sob story at to why you couldn’t be a “stay-at-home” mum, learn to respect other people’s choices (whether they want kids or not) and take the little time you have to learn your grammar.
– Sylvia Massara, director, Freedom For Life
