The jobless rate is 7.2% and will probably climb to 10% before things start to get better, but here at the XX Factor we get musings such as:

" It seems to me that what Jessica's asking for—and it's a completely legitimate thing for the next generation of women to want—isn't so much a wealthy suitor as a restructuring of the American workplace, not to mention the American educational system."

Hello, don't be shocked if it gets restructured straight to India. Businesses does not exist to make your life better or easier. They exist to make money. When employee costs exceed what they are willing to provide, businesses find ways to eliminate them.

Think it doesn't happen? I had fully covered Health Care when I got my first job, now I am lucky to only spend $250 a month in premiums.

Think your fellow workers want to cover for you at work while you go home to spend time with the kids?

Want to work - fine. Want to be a parent - fine. Something has to take top priority. Make a choice, that's what being a grown up is all about.