Those who can absorb the loss with savings or a husband's salary may pay a different price. Many who worked hard for advanced degrees in male-dominated science or engineering fields worry about losing ground while they're home changing diapers or shuttling the kids. Business or law graduates may find themselves permanently shut out of the race for partnership. For women who choose to stop out altogether, there's the risk of lost identity. It's just that they wish they didn't feel guilty, or weren't made to feel guilty about doing this.
Some career women find that staying home is, well, a bit boring.
They miss the stimulation of the workplace. Susan Coleman Bennett, '81, worked as a management trainer until her children were born. Then she set up shop as a home-based consultant for nonprofit organizations, but found that trying to manage a business with her toddler and preschooler often underfoot was too difficult. I know I'm lucky to have the choice to stay home, but honestly it is not all that interesting. Most plan to get back onto the career track when their children are older.