VALDOSTA — The notion that there is an “all” that we “all” aspire to is still a bit foreign to me, but thanks to a recent article which has gone viral, the newsroom has been a hotbed of debate over the topic: Can women have a successful, high-pressure career and still raise a family, or is one sacrificed for the other. Unfortunately, the article is from the perspective of a woman who had a high-powered, high-paying job and whose husband can continue to support the family well without her salary. She had a choice.

I work because I enjoy it but I also have to, as the alternative is homelessness, and I think most “real” women are in the same position. Would I rather be supported by lottery money? Or a wealthy husband? Or a trust fund? I can’t say it wouldn’t be  nice, but I’d still work and I’d still go to school and I’d still volunteer. Idleness isn’t a goal, and neither is wealth, so I guess I’m stuck doing things I love to do and am fortunate enough to make a living from. I’ve got happiness and fulfillment so I guess I have it “all.”

Why do these questions never get asked of men? I’ve seen men sacrifice family time for work, and I’ve seen men sacrifice work for family, so it’s not just a question for women. I’ve seen men turn down promotions because it meant moving their families, or it meant a lot of travel, and they didn’t want to give up coaching their child’s ball team, etc. Men have to face choices about how they spend their time just as women do, but no one ever seems concerned enough to ask them if they think they have it “all.”

It’s interesting also to see the differences in opinion between the older generation and the younger, particularly among women, when this topic is raised. Brittany McClure did an excellent job with the story that is the focus of the business section this week and is also the topic of our Question of the Week, online and on the Opinions page.

What are your thoughts? Share them this week and let us know!



Business Roundup

Mama’s June’s Home Cooking restaurant should be opening on July 31. It’s going in the extensively renovated former Ryan’s restaurant on Inner Perimeter Road, right in the middle of the construction of the new HeritageSouth bank across the street and the new Publix.

That same day, SGMC hosts a ribbon-cutting for its new massive parking deck, which will be a welcome addition to the campus for hospital employees and patients.

On Friday, the new Sport Clips Haircuts sports-themed men-only salon opened on Baytree Road in the strip of stores in front of the movie theatres. Big flat-screen TVs, massage chairs, hot steamed towel treatments and the like are offered to their male clientele.

Bloomingdeals had moved from Castle Park to Sugar Creek Plaza over on Baytree Road.

And although Kirklands is technically open, the store is not holding its grand opening until Aug. 4 and 5. Located on St. Augustine where the Goody’s was, next to Crystal River Seafood, the new home decor store is an exciting national addition for area shoppers.

It looks like Shorty’s Steakhouse is now closed. The popular local eatery was packed all week with customers who wanted to visit one last time and wish the owners well on their retirement.

My friends down in Lake Park have good news. The new Lin’s Garden restaurant is going well and the McDonald’s is undergoing a big renovation. And I know there should be a restaurant announcement for the corner lot by the interstate where the building was torn down this week. Exciting news for the community.

On Hill Avenue where the Old South BBQ restaurant was for years, the sign says Bubba Jax Crab Shack will be opening there soon.

And it looks like Exit Realty has moved into its new building on North Valdosta Road beside Girardin’s Jewelers.

Also this week, the new location for Chancy Drugs opened on North Ashley Street near SGMC. The popular Hahira drug store put its third location in the former CVS pharmacy building.

That’s about it for this week, but if there’s anything I missed, please let me know!

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