One day after he and Jillian Fink announced their divorce on January 23, Patrick Dempsey said this: "It would be nice to be one-pointed and not spread so thin sometimes. I think where I'm going is to really streamline and be much more specific in balancing things a little bit better than I have in the past."
Huh. Doesn't that sound completely unlike anything you've ever heard a woman say before? And we have to point out—dun dun dun—the double standard here. What sorts of comments would a woman get if she said she wanted to "streamline?" You're being selfish. Think of the children. Think of your husband. Think of your career.
To use one guy to prove a larger point about attitudes that should really have been eradicated by now, let's make a brief comparison between Patrick Dempsey and Women Patrick Dempsey Has Worked with Before:
Patrick Dempsey: actor, racecar driver, husband, father
Kate Walsh, Patrick Dempsey's former Grey's Anatomy costar: actor, founder of lifestyle and beauty company Boyfriend LLC, writer, director, spokesperson, ocean conservation and reproductive health advocate
Reese Witherspoon, Patrick Dempsey's Sweet Home Alabama costar: actor, producer, wife, mother, founder of a lifestyle company, board member of the Children's Defense Fund, Avon spokeswoman
Shonda Rhimes, the saint who gave Patrick Dempsey a job/arguably revived his career: screenwriter, director, producer, single mother, showrunner, and creator of six TV shows
Jillian Fink: celebrity makeup artist, mother, jewelry designer, sculptor
And that's not even counting the unofficial titles most woman have beyond their professional selves: sister, therapist, hairdresser, housekeeper, chef, best friend, semi-close friend, see-you-once-a-month friend, etc., etc.
You should also check out:
Ivanka Trump's New #WomenWhoWork Initiative Tackles the Myth of Work/Life Balance Head On
Is Doing It All the New "Having It All"? A Look at the Changing Face of Women's Careers
Confessions of a Kiss-Ass: How Being "Perfect" Almost Ruined My Career
-
Taylor Swift Sweetly Dishes on Travis Kelce With a Young Swiftie at Children's Hospital"I like Travis now," the fan shared.
-
I Found the Most Luxe Beauty Stocking Stuffers Your Friends Actually WantBeauty editor-tested and approved.
-
Princess Kate's Sculpted Cheeks Could Be the Work of This Insider-Loved TreatmentThe technique also has Meghan Markle's stamp of approval.
-
Peloton’s Selena Samuela on Turning Tragedy Into StrengthBefore becoming a powerhouse cycling instructor, Selena Samuela was an immigrant trying to adjust to new environments and new versions of herself.
-
This Mutual Fund Firm Is Helping to Create a More Sustainable FutureAmy Domini and her firm, Domini Impact Investments LLC, are inspiring a greater and greener world—one investor at a time.
-
Power Players Build on Success"The New Normal" left some brands stronger than ever. We asked then what lies ahead.
-
Don't Stress! You Can Get in Good Shape Money-wiseYes, maybe you eat paleo and have mastered crow pose, but do you practice financial wellness?
-
The Book Club RevolutionLots of women are voracious readers. Other women are capitalizing on that.
-
The Future of Women and WorkThe pandemic has completely upended how we do our jobs. This is Marie Claire's guide to navigating your career in a COVID-19 world.
-
Black-Owned Coworking Spaces Are Providing a Safe Haven for POCFor people of color, many of whom prefer to WFH, inclusive coworking spaces don't just offer a place to work—they cultivate community.
-
Where Did All My Work Friends Go?The pandemic has forced our work friendships to evolve. Will they ever be the same?
