Anonymity

[astra_nomer]

Anonymity on the internet is a good thing and all. Which is, in part, why I won't reveal my real name here.

But I've recently become aware of a more subconscious reason I want anonymity: it's because I'm afraid some prospective employer out there will read my journal, discover that I have two kids or (*gasp*) interests outside science, and then proceed to reject my job application or turn me down for tenure or some other such discriminatory practice.


I think it's an indication of the challenges that face women in science, particularly those with children. I can't entirely brush it off as paranoia, just from stories I've heard from other women.

I guess what made me aware of this was the fact that I knew so few role models when DS1 was born -- all my friends were becoming stay-at-home-moms when they had kids, and the women astronomers I knew who were having kids were already established. Now, I know that there are a several people at my own institution that I could have turned to for advice or moral support, but they didn't really go around advertising that fact. It's almost as if people are afraid to come forward and talk about their kids and family life, because the Establishment frowns on that sort of thing. If you don't talk only about science at coffee hour, then maybe you aren't Good Enough.

So here I am, setting myself forth as an example of a mother working in science, but without telling you who I really am. Ah well.

Comments

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I think there are all kinds of good reasons for wanting one's identity to be obfuscated somewhat, particularly if one works for the sort of institution that's highly concerned with its image. I obfuscate in part because who knows what teachers aren't "allowed" to think?

And, really, you never have any idea what prospective employers will or won't like. And, as I *assume* they're all googling on me...

[astra-nomer.livejournal.com]

I guess in some ways you have it worse... parents don't seem to really like the idea of teachers thinking for themselves, or something.

I definitely fear the idea of any complete stranger, much less a prospective employer, googling on me and coming up with all sorts of stuff that I really don't care for them to know...