Gabrielle Union On Women Choosing Careers Over Children

Actress Gabrielle Union has a hit TV show on BET, “Being Mary Jane,” and just recently celebrated her first wedding anniversary with husband, Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade. Her life sounds pretty close to perfect. But recently the 42-year-old actress recently opened up to Redbook  about the ridicule some women face when  to develop a career before starting a family.

“The reality is that women are discriminated against in the workplace for being mothers. “As much as there are strides being made — you get pregnant, your career takes a hit. You can’t have a bad day. Don’t you dare cry at work. Don’t raise your voice. Especially if you’re a black woman in corporate America — now you’re ‘the angry black woman.’ “

The 42-year-old — who says of trying to start a family with husband Dwyane Wade, “so far it has not happened for us” — adds that women are made to feel guilty for prioritizing their career over having kids.

“There’s a certain amount of shame that is placed on women who have perhaps chosen a career over starting a family younger,” she tells Redbook. “The penance for being a career woman is barrenness. You feel like you’re wearing a scarlet letter.”

It’s a classic catch 22 at times. A woman who has a child may deal with concerns that she’ll miss more time away from work – dealing with sick children, etc. – or won’t be able to put in the time and dedication because she has to rush home to take care of the family.
Gabby also discussed being 10 years older than Dwyane.

“I realized his friends, his teammates, were conceived when I was, like, a senior in high school. I was in high school at the same time as their parents! Sometimes he’ll be like, ‘Oh, my God, he’s so old!’ about someone who’s 35. But, Dwyane’s an old 33, and I’m a young 42, so it balances out.”