Unfinished Business
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4.7 • 3 Ratings
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
A powerful, persuasive, thought-provoking vision for how to finish the long struggle for equality between women and men, work and family
When Anne-Marie Slaughter accepted her dream job as the first female director of policy planning at the U.S. State Department in 2009, she was confident she could juggle the demands of her position with the responsibilities of her family life. But then parenting needs caused her to make a decision to give her more time for her family. The reactions to her choice to leave Washington because of her kids led her to question the feminist narrative she grew up with. Her subsequent article for The Atlantic, 'Why Women Still Can't Have It All,' sparked intense debate and became one of the most-read pieces in the magazine's history.
Now, in her refreshing and forthright voice, Anne-Marie Slaughter returns with her vision for what true equality between women and men really means, and how we can get there. She uncovers the missing piece of the puzzle, presenting a way in which both men and women can advance and thrive.
With moving personal stories, individual action plans, and a broad outline for change, Anne-Marie Slaughter reveals a future in which all of us can finally finish the business of equality for women and men, work and family.
'Unfinished Business sets out a powerful vision not only for gender equality, but for the future of work. Anne-Marie Slaughter presents an important approach to tapping into the talent pool of gifted, educated women who have taken time out for their kids – and we need to pay attention.' Eric Schmidt
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
As this heartfelt book relates, when the author (The Idea That Is America) left her Princeton University professorship in 2009 to work on policy for then Secretary of State Clinton, her sons were 10 and 12. Slaughter could only get home on weekends, and before long she found her children were suffering from her absences. Her conflicted feelings resulted in her much-read Atlantic piece, "Why Women Still Can't Have It All," which she expands here. "Lean in too far without a counterweight... and you will tip over," Slaughter warns. As she explains, her tipping point led her not only to leave D.C. but also to more widely examine the challenges of caregiving in the U.S. Slaughter also takes a fresh and informative look at recent advances made by feminists, finding that though much has changed since the women's movement came to prominence, the movement is still "only halfway home." She provides concrete steps for the remaining journey, concluding that until society learns to value care (of children and the elderly) as much as competition, there will never be true gender equality, in the workplace or elsewhere. If heeded by Americans, her thoughtful analysis could cause a sea change in how they value their jobs and one another.
