Work and kids: between expectations and opportunities

taketonews

RRome, La Sapienza University. The literature room is full. We talk about digital work, economic and gender injustices, of the need to manage technology with awareness in order to put it back at the service of all. Moderate ours Cristina Lacava, Lilia Giugni answerfeminist, writer and university lecturer, e Rossella Pivanti, podcast producer.

Danda Santini director of “iO Donna” (photo by Carlo Furgeri Gilbert).

We are at Objective 5, the Corriere della Sera training campus for gender equalityaccomplished with La 27esima Ora, iO Donna and the civic media Le Contemporanee. The boys keep coming up with questions. The theme touches them closely: digital has created new works, all for them, others are being born, and with them the pitfalls and risks grow.

You guys are allowed to follow passions

In the second row he raised his hand, shyly, a curly head. To her the last question. A deep breath, she introduces herself, “I’m Annamaria” and tells her story. As a child she had discovered, by chance, that she liked editing family videos: she was good, she was good for her. She had cultivated her passion until her adolescence but, when it came to choosing a university course, she had followed her home directions. Rossella, the podcast producer, had just told from time to time that she was pressed by a father who dreamed for her, her brilliant and diligent daughter, a serious job with a secure degree such as Engineering, Medicine, or Law. He could not understand what interested his daughter in the world of sounds, frequented only by boys, let alone how he could make it a job, one of those that allow you to live. Annamaria’s parents bet for her, she doesn’t say it but I imagine on Economics, which never disappoints and offers many outlets.

Women and work, a complicated relationship: more than half would like to change jobs

Annamaria follows, obedient because she doesn’t want to disappoint: she’s good and goes on fast. “But”. He pauses. Last breath. «I never thought I’d be allowed to follow my passion, even if it was “tomboyish”. Thanks to you, who made me realize today that it’s possible.” I don’t see her, because she is in front of me, but I feel her eyes shine. Ours shine too, because if even a single girl or boy has gained more confidence in her possibilities these days, we have achieved Objective 5.

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New opportunities

In the courtroom the words addressed this morning by Barbara Stefanelli, deputy director of Corriereto the male and female students at the opening of the meeting: «Guys, to counter the expectations that come from above you have to raise your aspirations». Trying to match the hopes of parents, who imagine the best but by their nature tend to be conservative and play it safe, with their own talent and the new opportunities offered by a changing world. There are no more jobs for girls and jobs for boys. Kids can be extraordinary literature teachers. Girls successfully enter technology. Good luck, Annamaria.

iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED

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