Women Editors Leaving the Newsrooms -- Is It the Same Old Reason?

According to the soon to be gone Editor & Publisher, three of the top 20 circulation papers’ five female editors will be leaving their jobs, all within a few weeks of each other. The departures leave many in the newspaper industry worried about diversity in the newsroom. But the biggest issue may be one Nancy Barnes, Star Tribune editor and one of the two remaining females in the position, brings up in her statement to E&P:

Barnes also believed the diversity was a problem, but did not think it was irreversible. “It is a brutal business for women, particularly women who want to have a family,” she says. “There are just different choices you have to make. But I believe we will grow more women editors.”(empasis added)

Of the three women leaving, two are in their 60′s and retiring. The third, only 46, is planning to pursue a different avenue in journalism, as well as move closer to her husband. Yet, Barnes brings up the hardships a woman has to face if she wants to have a family, as if that pertained to the situation.

It seems sad that it’s still assumed that women need to make a choice between their career and raising a family. In fact, in this case it seems so assumed that the idea that a woman can’t successfully maintain both that it comes up even in an article discussing the retirement and semi-retirement of three female newspaper professionals.

Can someone please let me know when the idea that women have to choose is no longer being pushed in the media? You can find me either busy at my work or playing with my toddler.

Jeff Belmonte via Wikimedia Commons

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Joy Lynn S.

9:17AM PST on Dec 16, 2009

It's shocking that the press-release is pushing this descision when the real reasons are completley benign!

send a green star

Natasha G.

6:10PM PST on Dec 15, 2009

WOW!!!! Once again the level of ignorance among us never ceases to amaze me. Why is it that women are still made to make choices between career and family. We can balance it all people, really we can. Stop deliberately throwing things in our paths that make our balancing act so difficult. You don't do this to men.

Richard N.

4:10AM PST on Dec 15, 2009

Loss for words...

Mary D.

2:28AM PST on Dec 13, 2009

so true, great story, noted, and thanks.

Alicia N.

12:31PM PST on Dec 12, 2009

It is dumb to think that women aren't able to do things. There's this commercial : a little girl saying something like this ........ they jump, they run - moms are super-heroes and they don't even know it !!!!!! SO TRUE. I was divorce and I was working to support my son and not just that I consider my self a very responsible mother just because I thought my baby to be his best. We ( women ) are nurses, chefs, therapists, friends etc.. etc.. in one day and still have the power to go to work. Aren't we just A M A Z I N G !!!!! ??????

Catman P.

11:07AM PST on Dec 12, 2009

Great post.

Christine K.

6:57AM PST on Dec 12, 2009

All true ! the essence is - I think- that still too many employers force employees to make this choice, and it's usually women who make it, whereas millions of families have paid the price for fathers and husbands who were always working. Being a mother IS the most important job, and I chose to do it, and I'd do it again, but it came at a huge cost professionally. And now that the children are (almost) grown up, some people are telling me what a great job I did, but that does not buy me (a divorced woman in a foreign country) social security ... So a big hurray for the fathers who stick up and chose to maybe even pay the price - if only there were more of you- and maybe employers will get the point that this is a decision that should be rewarded and not punished !

Past Member .

8:53PM PST on Dec 11, 2009

Hey, Reg B., you are to be commended for your attitude and your willingness to share the work. I bet your kids are proud to call you "Dad".

Mervi R.

5:44PM PST on Dec 11, 2009

Great article and so true!

Reg B.

4:04PM PST on Dec 11, 2009

Great comments Amanda and all very true!

When our first son was born my wife worked and I was the "stay at home parent" for his first year and a half. It was FAR more demanding and gratifying then any job I have held since.

Up every morning, breakfasts, play time, diapers, day trips, groceries, and always having a good supper ready for all at the end of the day. I learned my love of cooking this way too! I also experienced the first crawl, the first steps, the first tooth, and the first solid foods.

It is rigorous yes, but if anyone is looking for a satisfying full time job with daily challenges and rewarding social interactions choose parenting! It also comes with the future option of career change.

If you choose to have kids the sacrifice until they graduate is small in comparison to what you will learn and also the pride you feel. The best part is that "life and work" are still waiting for you when you are done!

Society AND your kids will thank you.