Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World [Hardcover]

Linda R. Hirshman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 8, 2006

When Linda R. Hirshman published an article called "Homeward Bound" in last December’s American Prospect, she fully intended to reignite the dying embers of feminism’s fire. But the ensuing maelstrom of criticism and applause from national op-ed columnists like David Brooks in The New York Times to mothers—stay-at-home and working mothers alike— surprised even her. Suddenly, the retired professor of philosophy and women’s studies is at the center of an increasingly hot debate on sexual politics. With Get to Work, Hirshman expands her now-infamous call for all women to realize the ideal of economic independence and self-determination.

Examining the trend of affluent, educated women abandoning their careers in order to raise children, Hirshman has concluded that the real glass ceiling that’s barring women from success in the workplace is in their own homes. Why, forty years after The Feminine Mystique, do men and women assign the low-level and generally unrewarding jobs of housekeeping and child rearing to women? The time is ripe for a new feminist revolution based on values and quality of life, not some false promise of "choice." Get to Work will lead the national discussion as Hirshman lays out a strategic plan to help women rediscover that their place is not necessarily in the kitchen.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A former attorney and professor of philosophy, Hirshman labeled child care as a low-status job and urged all women to rejoin the work force in her now infamous American Prospect article "Homeward Bound." Now she's back, using statistical research and convincing anecdotal evidence to challenge the politically correct assertion-as well as the moral, value and economic judgements inherent therein-that children, and ultimately society, benefit when mom stays at home. In her attempts to "restart the revolution," Hirshman spotlights the emptiness of "'choice feminism,' the shadowy remnant of the original women's movement," that puts the freedom to choose before progress or equality. "Stay-at-home moms do not like to hear that the sacrifice of their education, talents and prospects to their spouses' aspirations and their children's needs was a mistake," writes Hirshman, "so they contend the stay-at-home decision cannot be judged." But by making that "stay-at-home decision," Hirshman contends, women are creating, collectively, their own glass ceiling, in the end harming society as a whole by keeping educated, affluent women hidden at home. In this slim treatise, Hirshman adds intelligent and much-needed dialogue to an important and emotional debate.
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From Booklist

Hirshman, retired philosophy professor, expands on an article she wrote that ignited a firestorm of criticism from the Right and the Left. She criticized the decision of many well-educated women to return to hearth and home, maintaining that the decisions these women think are entirely personal are influenced by social--and even governmental--pressures to stay home. Hirshman responds to blunt criticism that what women decide is "their own business" by suggesting they test their decisions against canons of Western philosophical ideas of the good and worthy life: Are they using their human capacities to the fullest, maximizing their independence, and doing no social harm? By leaving the workplace, these women are setting back achievements for gender equality and demonstrating indifference toward the larger society. Hirshman is critical in general of women who have settled for a "useless choice feminism," one that fails to address the issues of work and family life. This slim book is likely to continue to fan the fires of an argument that hasn't lost its incendiary potential since The Feminine Mystique. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 112 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; First Edition edition (June 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670038121
• ISBN-13: 978-0670038121
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,235,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A retired labor lawyer and professor, Linda Hirshman is the author of Get to Work: A Manifesto for Women of the World; Hard Bargains: The Politics of Sex; and A Woman's Guide to Law School. She received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago and taught Philosophy and Women's Studies at Brandeis University, specializing in the study of social movements. In recent years, she has appeared on 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, various NPR shows and the Colbert Report. She also has written for such publications as the New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Ms., Glamour, Slate, the Daily Beast, and Salon.com. She lives in New York City.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 113 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Subtitle is "Manifesto"! June 26, 2006

By Mercy Otis Warren

Format:Hardcover

Previous reviewers here have complained about Hirschman's alleged lack of "balance" in this book. But the author never claims to present a "balanced" view of the work/home dilemma that many middle-class and privileged women face. (BIG HINT: the subtitle of her book includes the word "manifesto"! It's printed very cleverly as a "little red book!" Get it?)

This book is a polemic, not a sociological or historical analysis of the work/home issue like Judith Warner's _Perfect Madness_. _Get to Work_ challenges women and men to ask themselves the classic philosophical question, "what makes for a good life?" and challenges them to defend their choices, understanding that their choices have moral implications for themselves, their families, and the rest of the world.

The previous reviewer asks what she thinks is a rhetorical question: "Imagine the outrage if someone wrote a manifesto saying all women should be compelled to stay home and raise babies!" I think that book's been written, several times over, by Laura Schlessinger, James Dobson, Danielle Crittenden, Caitlyn Flanagan, Penelope Leach, T. Berry Brazelton, Phyllis Schlaffly, Rick Santorum, and dozens more reactionary celebrities who cling to essentialist ideas about gender because of their fear of American values, democracy, and modernity. We're so accustomed to hearing the "opt-out" decision framed as a moral choice that sanctifies wives and mothers who don't work for pay and demonizes women who do as grasping, unnatural, and selfish that it is a bracing shock to the system to read an argument that turns this so-called "morality" on its head. She makes a compelling case that women should remain in the paid workforce for two big reasons: first, because true feminist change is unlikely to happen if a majority of educated women "opt-out" of reaching the highest ranks in their profession, and second, for the family's economic security. Thus women who "opt-out" endanger both the goal of true gender equality and their own families.

I seriously doubt that most of the reviews here were written by people who have bothered to read the book. I think these are mostly reactions to her recent articles in the American Prospect and the Washington Post, by people who may have been (reasonably) offended by Hirschman's claim that there's something infantilizing about working in the domestic sphere only. I have my questions about Hirschman's prescriptions--for example, she doesn't say who exactly should do all of the domestic work she slights--but I think her book gives us a refreshing take on work/home issues.

53 of 59 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, but flawed August 22, 2006

By MJR

Format:Hardcover

Upfront, so you know my "politics," I am a 40ish working mom with an advanced degree, and 2 toddlers at home. My husband and I make about same salary, and financially either one of us could choose to stay at home.

Overall, I found Ms. Hirshman's manifesto to be overly harsh and unbalanced. I do agree with some of her points -- women should be able to be financially independent, and it is important to get an education and pursue something you enjoy, and I also agree that changing diapers and some other "baby duties" can be a bit tedious (although for me personally, those things are far eclipsed by the joy I get from my children). I also agree that husbands need to pitch in, and do an equal share around the house and with the children. I also think that female attrition in the workplace does make it more difficult to get equal treatment.

However, that said, I miss my children terribly and I can certainly understand why a parent would want to be home with their kids or work part-time. Furthermore, I think it is absolutely ludicrous to expect a parent to sacrifice the happiness of their family "for the good of womanhood/society." It seems that searching for a way to align family and societal interests would be more productive.

I do think it is risky to quit working and be completely dependent on your spouse for income. Although my spouse and I trust each other completely, I have seen men take advantage when the balance of power (money) shifts in their favor -- so, I understand the concern. In my experience, the workplace seems to be accomodating to me as a parent, but less so for him (i.e. my employer tolerates my taking time-off for kid-related things much better than his). In other words, our culture/society needs to change so that it is not so lopsided in how it treats/accomodates moms and dads -- which is also part of her mantra, but does not get the attention it deserves.

As a mom, I have noticed that early-on alot more of the child-related burden is on the female; no matter how supportive a husband is, he cannot be pregnant or nurse the baby. Also, I have noticed that even though my husband is an equally involved parent, my children tend to prefer mom over dad (I suspect this will change over time as they grow up). In summary, her Manifesto totally ignores the fact that early motherhood is exhausting for the female esp. when working, and that work often becomes alot less interesting/meaningful when you become a new parent.

I really respect women who stay home -- it is a difficult job and requires unending patience and love. I have a hard time criticizing someone who chooses that.

I do not think the answer is to flog and insult women (or men) who choose to stay at home with their children. I think the answer lies in understanding, accomodating, education and tolerance.

I would like to see society/employers allow parents some flexibility to place greater emphasis on their families. I would like us to learn as a society that spouses should treat each other with respect and as equals, no matter what the role. I would like parents to raise their male and female children to expect to "share the load" whether it be household responsibilities or income. In short, I believe, while Ms. Hirshman's book contains some basic truths, it does not offer a palatable solution, and is often critical and judgemental.

62 of 75 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought Provoking June 18, 2006

By MsSaint

Format:Hardcover

At the end of the day, the freedom to choose one's way of life is the greatest freedom of them all. However, Hirshman raises an incredibly important point: there are consequences to our choices and we need to realize what they are. Hirshman's thesis may be contentious, but you can't say she doesn't have a point.

Even if you're the happiest housewife in the world, it's important to recognize the cost of your happiness: economic freedom, social prestige, and intellectual productivity. Even if -you- don't put much value on these, you must acknowledge that society does. And society will judge you by them.

Of course, at the end of the day, it is every woman's right to choose how she will live her life. But this book raises a point that is strangely ignored in this age of equality: this choice that each woman makes is the exact same choice as is made by each man.

The question of equality between men and women cannot be considered without an inquiry such as Hirshman's. And each woman's choice as to who she is relative her husband and children should not be made without considering the points Hirshman raises.