Society was challenged in the 1960’s by a new movement, known as women’s liberation, to eliminate discrimination against women. The women’s liberation movement, in tandem with new methods of birth control, changed the status quo in less than a generation.

Unfortunately, the movement took on an “us/them” focus when a “we” focus would have better served it. The men needed liberating, too.

Women would win by assuming the career-centered lifestyles of their male counterparts. In fact, the men’s lives weren’t all that healthy or affirming. Women sometimes exchanged drudgery for drudgery.

Even when men take on their share of housework and childcare, many couples face a chaotic race to fulfill their obligations—to family and community but also to inner selves. The necessity for all adults to work forty hours or so each week in a usually distant work place results in unintended consequences. It robs us of the ability to carry on other pursuits. Previously, women tended to be the ones who kept lives on an even keel. When women entered the work force in large numbers, a necessary function went missing.

During the pre-recession period of full employment and a booming economy, it’s too bad we didn’t consider shorter work weeks while liberating women and men. Too bad we didn’t give them a shared chance at both jobs and a life beyond the rat race.