Strollerderby

I really think this is a cultural issue. France was run by a socialist government for a very long time, and still have a lot of socialists elements. Therefore, it is not unusual to dictate what someone will have to do. In the US, this would sound absurd.

Also, I often hear people say that they would love to have the kind of maternity leave they have in France. However, you do have to remember that there are trade-offs. One being much higher taxes, but another also being living in a generally more restrictive society. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but just that there are always trade-offs.

gpgirl,

I agree that the taxes are higher in France (although the system is engineered to lower your tax burden in direct relation to the number of kids that you have).

I just wanted to ask what perceived societal restrictions there are in France? Say, with respect to the US. I am not saying that there are not - just that I am curious as to what they are perceived to be.

Hate to say this, but....

It's France. She's female. She's not French by ethnicity. She's the rare female and minority in French government. And unfortunately, everything I've heard about France suggests a sexist and racist society - I'm not surprised she went back to work. For all we know she might have felt like she didn't want to give people cause to criticize.

And would she have escaped criticism if she'd stayed home longer? Especially from those who are as unwelcoming of migrants and the non-French in France?

It was probably no-win.

ambid, here is one example. When you go to college (or don't go) at age 18, your career path is pretty much set. In the US, I know people who decide to do something different in their 30's or 40's, go back to school and have a new career. That is really impossible in France.

Also, although you do get great maternity leave, if you do decide to take a few years off to be with your kids, it is next to impossible to go back to work. Your old career won't want you back, because you deviated from the path, and you can't really start a new career. Yes, it is not super easy to go back to work after taking time off in the US, but it is exponentially harder in France.

If you think starting your own business instead of dealing with the corporate culture, forget it. If you do not already come from money, you will never be respected, no matter how big a business you build. In reality, you could never build that big of a business, because most of the big business connections would be off-limits to you.

Again, I am saying this is all a trade-off. There are obviously good things about the French system too. The money is distributed more evenly, so as long you as you are a French citizen, you will get health benefits, maternity leave, etc. In the US, this is really dependent on what socio-economic class you are in. You also get much more vacation, so you can spend more time with your family.

And, as much as I hate to admit it, ohslowburn has a point about the sexism and racism. I am white, so I can't speak specifically about racism (although I have seen it), but as a woman it is very difficult to work in France unless you are willing to flirt with all the higher-ups (who are mostly men) and keep yourself in awesome shape so you can stay attractive. If you don't look good, it is so hard to get a job. I have heard men say that they wouldn't hire a specific woman because she was too ugly. (Although I do think the younger generation of women are starting to fight against this. I have seen very attractive women in their 20's dress in baggy clothes because they want to be taken more seriously.)