Debate about Working Women should be about Working Mothers

I know that there are glass ceilings for many women in various work places. And in many countries. In some countries, these are legal - other historical or plain strategic. A friend of mine who moved to Berlin from Washington DC keeps remarking on how stunning she finds it each time she sees a company or organization in German, where nearly all leadership positions are held by men, and women work in rank and file.

There are several successful women world-wide, who have had amazing careers. Some of these have had children (think Hilary Clinton, Anne-Marie Slaughter), some have even had many children (Ursula von der Leyen, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala). But I am sure that if I would dig out a survey (if one exists on this topic), very few of women in leadership positions have children. Or, perhaps to be more precise, very few have small children (with the exception of certain US CEOs a la Yahoo's Meyer, where maternity protection is non-existent).

So, two thoughts. Careers for moms are possible. Here I mean high-level leadership careers in the traditional, 9-5 office sense (or perhaps these days more like 9-11 availability sense). But I think most female careers, those of mothers that is, are delayed. By 10, even 15 years. And only those who are lucky, or have incredible endurance, manage to "wait until their time comes" (i.e. the children are old enough). I doubt very many have the energy, strategic skills or willpower to muddle through this way. I'm not sure whether I do.

Secondly, legal environments make a huge deal, in my view. Be it outright discrimination against women being able to work, or absurd tax incentives that keep women at home (my favorite "Ehegattensplitting" in Germany - which makes my head hurt each time I think of returning to a paid regular job). The list in the latter category is long, and includes issues such as entitlements and support for daycare or other care mechanisms (e.g. financial family support for grandparents as caretakers), or maternal care regulations that "nudge" women to return to the workforce (in time).

Berlin, where I live, sometimes makes me feel a bit torn in my role and potentials as a "working mom". The support system is there (with daycare etc.), but the incentives and social expectations are against me. Also a factor: success of a partner in their career… So many variables. Too much naval-grazing, I know. I should just again reflect less and do more, correct?