Richer than Donald Trump
I have not read the entire interview with Karen Crouse, a sportswriter with the New York Times. I am struck, though, by the blurb given it on Romenesko.
The headline reads: Why there aren't more women in sports journalism
The text reads: Perhaps it's because the pool of Superwomen isn't that deep, says New York Times NFL writer Karen Crouse. "Writing can be such a time-swallowing occupation if you let it. I know I struggle mightily to carve out nicely crafted stories and a life. If my husband had a dollar for every time we've had dinner plans and I've told him, 'I'm almost done, just a few more minutes,' only to emerge an hour later, he'd be Donald Trump."
I don't know about the Times. I know that what she describes is true of every reporter and editor I've ever known, regardless of gender and journalistic specialty.
Comments (7)
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inane. this applies to everyone. to say that it only affect women makes it even more difficult for us to be taken seriously as the professionals we are. good lord.
Posted on March 6, 2008 6:17 PM
This is true. There are a lot of jobs that will consume you if you let them - where the hours aren't great (and sometimes fluid and unpredictable) and the pay doesn't seem worth it. This is true regardless of gender. Talk to cops, teachers or folks in the armed forces about this one.
But here's the thing, and I'm not saying it's fair:
Women will put up with the "just a few more minutes" that turns into an hour (or a canceled dinner) far more than men will. Why is for the philosophers - the need for men (on the whole) to psychologically catch up with the idea that womens' careers are just as important to them, maybe.
But I've found that while finding women to put up with you if you're a reporter is difficult, my female reporter friends seem to have more trouble than I do.
Posted on March 6, 2008 9:19 PM
No doubt any journalist these days has to have SuperHero fortitude & ongoing passion for what we do. Other comments are correct in the observations that we all are prone to the one-more-minute-turning-into-an-hour syndrome.
That said, despite many strides and increased opportunities, women in sportswriting has special challenges. Been there for half my career, enjoyed it immensely and then turned to news side because I tired of fighting the same old attitudes & sterotypes with sources and coworkers.
If there is Superwoman traits to be found -- it is simply in the ability to ignore, endure or rise above those things.
Posted on March 6, 2008 10:29 PM
I agree with you, Monica. There are many reasons it's tough to be a female sportwriter. I just don't think the most compelling ones are missed dinners and late nights.
Posted on March 7, 2008 8:37 AM
And John, there are many reasons to read an entire interview before making judgments about it. In this case, it would take maybe 5 minutes.
Posted on March 7, 2008 11:16 AM
I've since read it, and it's good. My thoughts posted above were really directed at what was pulled from the Romenesko front page.
Posted on March 7, 2008 11:35 AM
The way I read that Superwoman comment was in the context of the graf before it -- about reporters juggling deadlines and child-rearing and having "no earthly idea" how they do that.
Posted on March 9, 2008 12:39 PM