Sequencing [Paperback]

Arlene Rossen Cardoza (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Cardozo makes a convincing case for a life plan for todays's young woman that allows her to manage both career and family. Timing is the key, and the requirement is a husband who works full time at a job adequate for family needs. In "sequencing" the well-established career is followed by a period of years of home-based mothering, with a subsequent return to career. Planning for career reemphasis is an important factor in the author's program and perhaps its most valuable contribution. Unlike Deborah Fallows in A Mother's Work ( LJ 10/1/85), Cardozo recognizes the many forces attracting young mothers to the workplace and has a better understanding of economic realities. Even though sequencing is an option not available to all, the book deserves attention. Hilma F. Cooper, Cheltenham Twp. Libs., Pa.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Brownstone Books (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0965123804
• ISBN-13: 978-0965123808
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #839,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book for working mothers who want to stay home., July 11, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: SEQUENCING (Board book)

This is an important book for working mothers who want to stay home to raise their children. It is a scholarly, qualitative study of 350 women who left their jobs to raise their families. Sequencing is unique, I believe, for its feminist critical analysis of Western (particularly American) feminist theory. The author argues that the model of feminism made famous by women such as Betty Friedan is based on the male or "fatherhood" model of working outside the home, with children raised by a substitute caregiver. Her problem with this model is that it excludes and avoids addressing the special choices and needs of mothers of infants and young children, many (if not most) of whom feel a very strong desire to be with and nurture their offspring, full-time. But rather than hurling simplistic and reactionary insults at modern feminists, the author constructively contributes to the Nature vs. Nurture debate and contemporary feminist literature. I did feel, however, that Cardozo's analysis suffered from the same classism and racism as Western feminism generally. I found myself searching for examples of African-American women and poor women who took very real and consequential risks, who truly sacrificed every possibility of achieving the American Dream, in order to stay home with their children. I found one example: one young woman interviewed made a tormenting decision to raise her baby in a ghetto rather than ship her off to a relative or daycare provider while she worked outside the home. But even though the author paid lip service to poor women, I ultimately felt like this book was written mostly about and for white, middle class, college-educated women who give up professional careers--not poor women who sacrifice everything--to stay home and raise their children. I kept searching for inspiration from an example that spoke to my own needs and my own situation, and didn't find it. Although the book at least attempted to achieve class parity, which is more than a number of others written on this subject have done, its classism and racism left some holes that deserve better attention. Nevertheless, Sequencing offers a unique and titillating twist on the discussion of modern feminism and is extremely relevant for mothers of the '90s. I highly recommend it. Sharon Reilly ([e-mail]

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sequencing for 2000 and Beyond, March 28, 2000

By 

Ora Radisson (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sequencing (Paperback)

This outstanding book is more relevant for women of 2000 than ever before, because Sequencing--a term the author coined--has now become the preferred way of life for millions of women throughout the country who have predicated their own life choices on the concepts set forth in the book. This new edition of the groundbreaking study elucidates how women make their choices regarding fulltime careers, leaving fulltime work to mother their children, then developing a host of methods to use their training and expertise in new ways. Today this book is the paradigm for the way almost all married mothers choose to design and redesign their adult lives. It is a MUST for all married mothers, as well as for women contemplating motherhood.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Advice!, April 26, 2003

By 

Elaine S. Reitz (Coralville, Iowa United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sequencing (Paperback)

I was so fortunate to able to stay home with my daughter full-time. Before I stayed home full-time, I had had a varied and lucrative career life. But being a mom was my priority. When my daughter went to pre-school, I started working part-time and now that she's in kindergarten, I'm working full-time as a librarian, and my career choice allows me to work around my daughter's school schedule. I can take her to school and pick her up after school. I am now working in my dream field, and my job is only going to continue to grow and allow me to advance. If I hadn't been able to take the time off for my daughter, I don't think I would have found such fulfillment in my career life once I decided to re-enter the workforce. This book is great support for Moms who choose to stay home full-time and put their career life on hold for a few years!