Oh, Phyllis. My Open Letter to the “Pro Family” Conservative

I seriously regret eating my veggie lasagna leftovers for lunch…especially right before reading Phyllis Schlafly’s Christian Post op-ed entitled, “Facts and Fallacies About Paycheck Fairness.”

I’m quite nauseated…and also feel really, really sorry for Phyllis. It’s because of folks like her with such antiquated – and deranged – views on what women’s roles “should be” that I  dedicate an entire chapter in my upcoming book, “When She Makes More: 10 Rules for Breadwinning Women,”  The chapter offers prescriptive advice on how modern women and men can deal with these sometimes overbearingly judgmental individuals.  In everyone’s life a little Phyllis Schlafly may fall. It could be a parent, a coworker or neighbor who just.doesn’t.get.it.

And the advice for those of us on the other end of the dribble goes something like this, “Find compassion for the haters, for they may never be able to understand what’s real and what’s bright, as you have.”

I have to say that I’m also confused, Phyllis. First and foremost, what are your sources? You seem to be making things up as you go along. For example, you write:

“Women place a much higher value on pleasant working conditions: a clean, comfortable, air-conditioned office with congenial co-workers.”

Um, have you seen my workspace/kitchen table from home? Here’s a snapshot of my current work environment. (Say hi to my lasagna crumbs!)

“A successful woman who reaches a high rank in her career is more likely to reduce her working hours.”

Even if this is true, why might be this be, hmm? Could it be that she has a family waiting for her at home and wants to be at the forefront of her parenting responsibilities – in addition to working cruel hours at a company that likely has limited maternity leave, let alone a paternity leave policy? Perhaps her boss won’t cut her a break so she’s forced to compromise somehow? Oh, nevermind. I suppose this fat paycheck lady is just leaving early to get her nails done, right Phyllis? Where ARE her priorities?

Then you drop this bomb: “Women voluntarily” choose “lower pay.” 

I can’t even.

And then the icing on the cake: “Perhaps an even more important reason for women’s lower pay is the choices women make in their personal lives, such as having children.”

I’m 7.5 months pregnant. I *think* my husband is aware, but I haven’t actually stopped to ask him if he knows we’re having a baby. I mean, I don’t want to bother him with “my choice” to have children.

Perhaps I should also confess to him that I make more?

What say you, Phyllis?