Kate Walsh: Is having it all the great American myth?

by

Sara McGinnis

posted in Celebrities

Kate Walsh has asked a question I'm beginning to wonder if we all might need to pause and ponder. The actress, who previously opened up about wanting to have children, is now speaking out about having gone through early menopause and striving to "have it all."

“I don’t have children. I’m not going to have kids. I went through early menopause. That happened,” the 48-year-old star said during a recent interview with Maria Menounos. After noting this is becoming common for "more and more women" she added, “Who knows why. It could be a product of our environment. The pill, we don’t know."

Unfortunately, Kate isn't the only one she knows who has gone through early menopause, as she was advised to get checked after her sister went through it.

“It was bleak. But that was a great kind of experience and growth,” she said of the diagnosis. “I’ve always felt I’ve been, at times in my life, indecisive or have hard times making decisions. I go for what I want and I also embrace what’s in front of me.”

When the subject changed to having it all, as in both career and children, the Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice alum shared this:

“I don’t know if you can actually have it all. I think that is actually this American myth. I wouldn’t call it a dream. I think it’s a bit of a myth in that it’s this huge pressure. We’re like, ‘Wait a minute, am I less than if I’m not a mother? If I’m not a rock star in my career?’ I don’t know. I’m just rambling. This is what I ponder.”

I appreciate that Kate is pondering it, and that she isn't afraid to admit she isn't sure she has it figured out -- as I'm pretty sure most of us don't. My initial thought though, is that she's probably right. Whether consciously or not, we've bought into the idea it's possible to parent well and have a bright career, and if we're not doing both those things we're possibly lacking.

I know not everyone feels this way, and I'm glad about that, but there's no shortage of those of us that do. And by "us," I mean me too. I've always felt pressure to do it all, but even more than that I want to do it all. I want to be a great mom, and I want to do great things. The ambition itself probably isn't bad, but I do struggle with frustration over not being able to actually achieve what I have in mind.

Do you think having it all is an American myth?

Weigh in here

Photos: PR Photos

 

A look back at what other celebrity moms have had to say about having it all: