Judith's posts said oh so eloquently what I have being feeling more and more strongly for a number of years. Reading her posts was like a thump on the head, the obvious explanation for why nobody talks about what I'm most frustrated by... gender inequality in the workplace.

This year I turn thirty and I'm dropping out of the academic research science track that I have spent the last 11 years pursuing. Why? Because I'm tired of the double standard that men can have kids and have this career but women can't and I'm really, really, really tired of all the people who keep telling me to shut up every time I am foolish enough to say this out loud or in writing. That isn't to say I don't know women who are trying to have kids and stay on this track... with varying degrees of success. Personally, I am just too worn down to continue this struggle. And I am particularly worn down by the part where I can't even bring up what I see as the biggest single obstacle to me staying on this career track.