By Laura Pappano

As physical aspects of becoming a mom – bearing children – recede as a reason for halting an athletic career, another is emerging: Is it possible to be a top athlete and a good mommy?

Now that women can compete at high levels into their 30s and 40s – whether in golf, tennis, soccer, or basketball – female professional athletes get to engage the challenge working mothers have faced for decades: How do you do your job (honor your identity and passion) and still be an engaged parent?

This has long been the third rail of feminism. The fault line between employed mothers and “stay-at-home” mothers (all moms work) bumps up in daily life from the scheduling of school events (classroom volunteers needed 10:45-11:15: Who’s available?) to the matter of which mom has the most high-powered e-mail address or a calendar too jammed to send in paper cups.

If the Mommy Wars (and some argue it’s all imagined) have taught us anything, however, it’s that there is no single correct approach to being a parent. If the goal is to raise good kids and be involved in their lives there are many ways to do this – and do it well.

The very phrase “Mommy Track” has been tainted by the view that it is career-lite. But increasingly, making work flexible is a tool for keeping top talent — and it does not decrease intelligence, drive, or skill. Sure, some people multi-task better than others (but the argument that working moms are distracted misses all the work-day internet poker that can be equally distracting). Accommodating talent buys loyalty and quality work (or play).

How does this apply to pro sports?

Many athletes already have more flexible schedules (in terms of training) than many traditional professionals. Competition does present a particular challenge – but so do big presentations and conferences. The point: The schedule is workable.

The New York Times on Monday observed the falling number of LPGA golfers taking advantage of the tour’s Child Development Center while noting that superstars Lorena Ochoa and Annika Sorenstam retired at the top of their game, apparently to devote time to family.

Yes, there may be factors that explain this stat: 1) competitors are younger 2) competition is stiffer and 3) there is more international travel on the Tour.

But the matter for the LPGA – as for other women’s pro sports – is that it’s time to talk about quality childcare. Not good babysitting or ski-school-like people willing to watch kids while mom plays, but the sort of waiting-list-worthy early childhood education program (and well-advertised) that makes parents rave. Have a system of childcare so that whether you are in Illinois or Florida, there is continuity. Salaries and prize money matters. But so do benefits. Ironically, such an initiative could drive more women into pro sports – and keep them longer.

View Original Post at fairgamenews.com

• Filed Under:  
• Golf, Sports, SportsPLUS, Family/Parenting, OpEd, Career, Sexism

There are 5 comments on this post. Join the discussion!

MarQFPR

It has been proven that women who have given birth can take more pain than males, and a lot of women mma fighter are moms balancing their jobs and careers. So the answer is yes - women can have an athletic career after having a child.

Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 9:06pm PDT

AnnGaff

It seems to me that the traditional roles simply have to shift a bit in order for the mom to continue her career, whether as a pro athlete or otherwise - that is, the daddy has to take a bigger role in the childcare. This is a win-win situation - the dad is more active in his kids' lives, the mom gets to continue with her goals, and the kids bond with both parents AND witness their mom AND dad both pursuing a career and spending quality time with their family. This is how I have seen it work with professional track athletes, who travel internationally just as much as the golfers.

Friday, July 9, 2010 at 3:22pm PDT

MarQFPR

Although Ann there are a lot of women mma fighters who are single moms. The Vixen Crew are a fight team that are made up of single moms. I will try to dig up an article I did a year ago about one single mom pursuing her mma dream.

Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 3:56am PDT

MarQFPR

Actually here it is on the site - will try to repost on here this week -

http://www.fightergirls.com/news.asp?ID=276

Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 4:30am PDT

AnnGaff

Yes, now that I think of it, Dara Torres is a single mom and I'm sure there are others. That truly is amazing to me, knowing how much energy it takes to be a mom even while having the father around. Would love to have you repost that article, Marq, they are great role models.

Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 5:21pm PDT