The Impossible Dream: Wharton Economist Exposes the 'Having It All' Myth
In a powerful new analysis, Corinne Low, an associate professor of business economics and public policy at the University of Pennsylvania's prestigious Wharton School, has declared the modern ideal of the 'Instagrammable domestic goddess who slays at work' to be a complete and damaging myth. As a leading gender economist, Low's recent book, Having It All, delves deep into the structural pressures creating what she terms 'the squeeze' for women worldwide.
The Personal Catalyst for a Professional Revelation
Low's research was born from personal experience. "I was caught in 'the squeeze'—that period when women are at the height of their career growth while also becoming new parents and shouldering the responsibilities that come with it," she explains. Juggling a grueling commute, the relentless pursuit of academic tenure, and the care of a newborn, Low felt she was "failing at everything." However, her professional work was examining the very societal dynamics she was living through.
"I realised I wasn’t alone," Low states. "It wasn’t just me, stretched too thin and falling short—it was women everywhere, facing the same impossible constraints on their time. Seeing this in the data made me feel profoundly seen, and I wanted to share that with others." Her mission became clear: to help women understand that their struggle is not a personal failing but a universal, structural problem demanding collective solutions.
Debunking the Three Big Myths
Low systematically dismantles three pervasive myths that exacerbate the pressure on working women:
- The Myth of Automatic Improvement: "First, 'things will get better on their own'—while we’ve seen a lot of progress for women around the world, there are several trends that I think we need to be aware of," Low argues. She points to an "explosion of parenting time" that leaves working mothers severely squeezed, coupled with a stagnation in the evolution of men's gender roles at home. "When it comes to time and happiness, working moms are very squeezed today!"
- The Myth of Masculine Mimicry: "Second, that women need to act like men to get ahead at work—there’s no evidence that men’s styles are better from a profit perspective," Low asserts, citing her own research which shows women are often superior negotiators. "It’s time to throw out this dated advice."
- The Myth of Perfect Parenting: "And finally, that you need to do it all to be a good parent," she says. Low emphasizes that children crave genuine connection over frantic scheduling or social-media-perfect activities. "Saying no to overscheduled activities and trading them for higher-quality, lower-stress time together can be the better deal for everyone."
Addressing the iconic imagery of 'balance,' Low is unequivocal: "I’m arguing that trying to be 110% in both domains is structurally impossible. Seamlessly combining a more than full-time career in what Claudia Goldin calls a 'greedy' job... while also trying to be an Instagrammable domestic goddess at home is never going to add up."
An Economist's Framework for Happiness
Low proposes applying an economic lens to life's choices. "I think the economics idea of a utility function is a helpful framework for thinking about what we truly care about—and how those priorities shape our happiness," she explains. Just as companies maximize profit, individuals maximize their personal 'utility' or well-being.
"Crucially, you can’t compare yourself to people whose utility functions are different from yours," Low advises. The trap, she notes, occurs when women measure themselves against others with different core values, leading to feelings of inadequacy. "That’s not failure — it’s simply a difference in utility functions."
Unconventional Advice and Systemic Solutions
Low's central advice is radical in its simplicity: "Understand what truly matters to you—your own personal definition of success and happiness—and make choices that maximise your well-being, not the version society has prescribed for women." She argues that real empowerment comes from rejecting contradictory, impossible societal standards.
The economic impact of the 'squeeze' is profound, leading to a loss of skilled labor, slower productivity growth, and reduced diversity in leadership. Low advocates for concrete policy interventions:
- Subsidized childcare
- Paid parental leave for both parents
- Structured, flexible work arrangements
- Stronger protections against career penalties during child-rearing years
Why 2026 is Different: A Perfect Storm of Pressure
Low contextualizes the current crisis historically. While expectations on women have always been high, "Recent years mark a shift because of how all these forces are coming together." Unlike the 1960s model where pressures were concentrated in domestic roles, modern women now contribute significant income while still shouldering most housework and childcare—a role where time demands have "risen dramatically." This convergence, Low warns, is "a recipe for major burnout!"
Redefining 'Having It All'
Should women lower their expectations? Low reframes the question. "To me, having it almost is my way of pushing back... to say we can have what we need, but it might mean opting out of other people’s visions of success and being a little messy and imperfect."
However, her ultimate call is not for individual adjustment but for systemic revolution. "Instead of saying women need to adjust their expectations, I want to advocate for system-wide change—beginning with the men in our lives, who must also recognize the constraints we face... They must share the work of building a reality that is more equitable and sustainable."
She concludes with a powerful directive for policymakers: "Supporting women’s aspirations to 'have it all' requires reshaping the system itself—so that the ideal becomes attainable not through exhaustion, but through shared responsibility and structural reform."
Interview conducted by Himanshi Dhawan, a Senior Editor with extensive experience in gender-focused reporting.
