Study Says Hollywood To Blame For Setting 'Supermom' Standard
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) -- UC Davis researchers say Hollywood seems to make women seem like they can have it all: career, family and that perfect body...no problem.
Research shows only about 10 percent of top jobs in California belong to women, but it's a lot harder to break the glass ceiling than it seems.
They have the babies and the business. So many women star in the role of super hero that there's a reason they choose to fly through life at superhuman speed.
She can tidy up her little girl's room in a matter of minutes.
"Somehow you end up with hundreds of stuffed animals," said business owner and mom Leslie Simmons as she straightens up her daughter's room.
In between cleaning, Leslie Simmons types, texts and renders video for her production company.
"We tend to have crazy lives. We're a small business. Any small business anywhere will tell you you never stop," said Simmons.
Leslie and her husband own Simz Productions. While she tries to attract clients to her commercial production company, this mom crosses many finish lines.
"This year I've run three half marathons and I have the goal to run four, but I might squeeze in a fifth," said Simmons.
She often trains by running to and from work with 2-year-old Emma in tow.
"She weighs 30 pounds, and the stroller weighs 20 pounds, but it's definitely a load," she says.
Like a lot of moms, Leslie's pushing her limits despite her many star roles.
A UC Davis study blames the big screen. Most women want to emulate Angelina Jolie in "Tomb Raider." She's aggressive, yet nurturing and beautiful, but her larger-than-life character isn't always so possible in real life.
"I come home, I'm hungry, I haven't had my afternoon snack, the baby's whining and I have still have work to do. I have to make dinner and I'm tired," said Simmons.
She hands over some duties to her husband, James.
"He's a good dad," she says.
James also does the set up and photography for their commercials, so Emma often joins them at work.
The study proves that girls want to try to do it all, but even Simmons admits she has to set limits sometimes, even turns her phone off, but only when she's running.
The study also found men expect more from women after watching these heroines in movies.
