The reality is that only 3% of women in executives, who have families, feel that family responsibilities have hindered their careers. Executive-level women are more likely to get help at home for family and household responsibilities.

 Myth #4:

The "mommy track" is a good way for women to be successful in the workplace and in the home.

The reality is that the "mommy track" is an excuse to pay women less and to keep them from competing for the top jobs. The rationale for the mommy track is that, if women cannot keep up, they deserve less pay- after all, these jobs must be easier, or how could they do them and juggle family responsibilities?

 Myth #5:

Because women executives divide their attention between career and family, they cost the corporation more money.

The reality is that male-linked habits cost a great deal more than pregnancy ever could. Alcohol use, which is greater among men, creates excessive medical costs and serious performance losses in business. "How many maternity leaves could Exxon have funded with the billions that were lost because the captain of the Valdez was drunk?" -Audrey Freedman, The Conference Board.

 Myth #6:

Executive-level women are frequently single, divorced or have no children, proving how difficult it is to manage a job and a family.

The reality is that, yes, executive-level women exhibit different marriage patterns compared to the national norm, but so do men at the top of corporate America.

 Myth #7:

Women are a poor investments for companies because they are not serious about their careers and often "drop out" to have children or start their own business.

The reality is that women executives are no more likely to leave their jobs then executive level men. Because the chances of an executive-level women finding a new position are so low, the turnover rate for women is lower than that of men.

  Myth #8:

Women are not aggressive enough and do not have enough self-confidence required for the top jobs.

The reality is that there are more similarities than differences in these personality traits between men and women managers. Executive-level women often display more modern leadership traits then men.

 Myth #9:

Any woman who works hard and is competent can make it to the top.

The reality is, who makes it to the top depends on who you are and who you know. More than half of the board chairmen of the Fortune 500 companies are the sons of former chairmen.

Myth #10:

Women senior executives suffer from the 'Queen Bee' syndrome and are no help to younger women who are trying to make it to the top.

The reality is that men in executive-level positions suffer from 'King of the Mountain' syndrome. Women complain about their treatment by men, not by other women. Fifty-six percent of women executives are involved in networking with other women and 83% say that they feel responsible for helping younger women advance in business.

 For more information visit:

Myths About Women in Business

Strategies for Change

How to contact us:  dmaluso@elmira.edu

Copyright 1998 Diane Maluso and the Women Mean Business class. All rights reserved.