Women: Redefining the Term

Lesly Hernandez, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Women often deal with the stereotype that they’re expected to have kids sometime in their life – no matter what it takes. Regardless of how it may affect their jobs and finances. 

In the world we live in today, women are fighting these stereotypes and deciding what future they want for themselves, no matter the pressure from society.

Senior Kiana Yokota wants kids and also hopes to become a Registered Nurse. She understands that there may be challenges regarding having kids in her future, but isn’t letting that get in the way of possibly having them one day.

She states that she wouldn’t consider changing her job for a child. “I’m pretty set on nursing and whatever career I have, I would go around [it] instead of changing everything for a kid,” Yokota says.

This idea is starting to become a norm and many women are focusing on their job and how they can fit a child with that job instead of changing their job to fit having a child.

Senior Vivian Mejia wants to become an Immigration Lawyer and while that job can have many obstacles, she would still consider having children when the time comes. 

“I’m planning on working really hard for my career so I don’t think I would change it for them,” Mejia said.

Another factor that women consider when thinking of kids is financial stability.

“California is a very expensive place to live,” Yokota said. “I think with nursing [however] if I have a good spot and position, I could be able to afford and raise a kid without any trouble.”

The kind of career you have can affect the income you have. Depending on that, you can know how much you can provide for your child. In Yokota’s case, a nurse’s salary can range an average of $124,000 per year in California.

Counselor Angel Winn has experienced situations where students think about having children or actually having children at this young age.

“I think you should be financially stable and be able to depend on yourself and not the government,” Counselor Angel Winn said. “I think that you should be able to be self-sufficient and have an idea of what you’re doing before you do get into a huge financial commitment like that.”

Another issue that women come across is the idea that if you don’t biologically produce your own child, then you are not considered a “real” mother. 

“I feel strongly about adoption because there are many kids who are put up for adoption that never get adopted,” Senior Vivian Mejia said. “Despite all the abortion issues, many people don’t even think about adoption and they feel natural birth is the only way to have a kid.”

In addition to adoption, children also become part of a family through surrogacy, IVF, IUI, and ICSI. Though there are some in society who feel that biologically birthing your child is the only route to becoming a mother, there are other routes to motherhood. 

“I don’t believe that all women need to have children or be married or follow any stereotype,” Winn said. “I think that everyone should be able to choose the path that works for them and have the freedom to be who they want to be.”