Édaein O’Connell: In a Barbie world we can have Botox, babies and big careers – but in the real world women can’t have it all

‘We get married and have kids, we’re criticised. We choose not to and we’re scolded. We choose career over kids, we’re cold.' Photo posed

Édaein O'Connell

Do you think women can have it all? In a recent Radio Times podcast, singer Lily Allen spoke candidly about the impact having children had on her career. While she loves them and they “complete” her, Allen believes they “ruined it” when it came to her pop stardom. “It really annoys me when people say you can have it all because, quite frankly, you can’t,” she argued. “Some people choose their career over their children and that’s their prerogative.”

Much of what Allen said was in jest but, in the aftermath of her comments, the age-old debate about a woman’s allowance and restrictions was reignited. Some said Allen was being erroneous because it’s 2024. Of course women can be mothers, sisters, lovers, friends and CEOs all at the same time. Others agreed with Allen’s take, noting that the pressures on females to be anything and everything are becoming too much. If you are a laywoman standing on the sidelines looking in at the debate like myself, you’ll probably feel like pulling your hair out.

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