domesticdiva327

I'm always up for putting people at ease about NYC. I was born and raised in Washington Heights, and it is certainly one of the least expensive parts of NYC right now, and only about 15 mins to 125st, which is where you'd get off of the 1 train to get to school. If you've experienced Berkeley/Oakland (which I only visited recently myself!) then you'll be fine! Just be street smart -- stay on well-lit areas, etc, but honestly, Harlem is nothing to be afraid of. Broadway is main street so you'll always have places open (corner stores, etc) where you can pop in if you ever feel unsafe, but as a small young woman myself, I'd say I've never felt at risk. I actually really like the 1 train because it goes through so many different kinds of neighborhoods, which means a variety of people ride it. Also, it has a stop about every 10 blocks, so you always feel that you can get off the train if you wanted to and walk. So please don't be afraid

I think you raise important questions, so here are just a couple of thoughts: Being family-friendly need not necessarily be unfriendly to non-family people, but I do think it's important to differentiate between the examples you provide. I don't feel comfortable equating a ball game or a hair appointment with caring for a minor or ill relative who is unable to care for themselves. The first two are leisure activities (though I know haircare is important), whereas caring for a child is more likely the opposite of "free" time. One also needs to consider the long-term effects of good parenting (stable members of society, children growing into happy, healthy adults, etc), which would provide incentives for academia to be family friendly. Don't get me wrong -- I think people without children should also be able to take care of their own mental health via leisure ... I just think this isn't an apples-to-apples comparison. I would consider a family-friendly policy fair if "family" were a bit more broadly defined: one's own children, a friend's children who needs me to babysit, your taking care of your significant other or domestic partner. And again, all on a case-by-case basis (i.e. absences that are planned well in advance or emergencies).