60. This editorial argues that, since career advancement for scientists typically require: : ?& [, R' N: U' }- L; {
60 to 80 hours of work per week, affordable all-day child care must be made available 8 T9 G. ~) B. G0 y" y
to scientists of both genders if they are to advance in their fields. Moreover, the editorial
; L' H8 @1 D. V, @4 R3 c: Yurges that requirements for career advancement be made more flexible to insure that 3 O5 ]+ l7 r- o! v
pre-school children can spend a significant amount of time each day with a parent. This
: y6 U8 h7 S3 i1 X9 ^argument is problematic in two crucial respects.
8 S" ~" s; K1 f) h0 K$ d6 H The major problem with the view expressed in the article is that inconsistent
t0 N7 l9 G. E4 K, c6 d; R5 S% z# C# ]recommendations are endorsed in the argument. On the one hand, scientists are urged to
H$ l) F/ N4 i+ e6 m4 m8 |: N2 v; ]put their children in all-day child-care facilities in order to advance their careers. On the 5 a/ |" {" K- Y
other hand, they are encouraged to spend a significant amount of time each day with ; m: A0 C9 H! J3 A: N
their children. Obviously, scientists cannot be expected to adhere to both of these
. c) W T W& d8 J% arecommendations.
: i( q, F7 b9 \ Another problem is that the recommendations are based on the assumption that e / u: T$ [' F# _3 o4 m' ]
or at least most. scientists have young or preschool-age children. But the editorial 3 ?4 M- k) V$ n- v
provides no evidence to support this assumption, nor is this assumption very likely to be + \3 p6 j, c5 R$ [3 q4 C
true. Since, childless scientists or scientists whose children are old enough t: take care of
: s4 m" r7 F$ \2 _1 Y! i* xthemselves will have no need for the services advocated in this article it is doubtful that
q+ r2 L" I$ l' B& f- s+ O% Pthese recommendations will receive much widespread support.: Z" r# A3 S" ?/ W) b" J
In conclusion, this argument is unconvincing. To strengthen it, the author must 6 j8 L: ^* @: M8 }" T9 I
show that most scientists have preschool children and consequently are in need c the 5 O! L g2 F" ?' X, t* i+ o# M4 N
recommended services. Additionally, the author must address and resolve the apparent . I3 A) h- E' j6 G h" S
conflict between the recommendations. |