Meghann Foye has been receiving a lot of hate online after her new book “Meternity” seemingly belittled maternity leave.
Referring to it as “personal time” the book tells the story of a fictional editor who fakes a pregnancy in an effort to have a break from work and figure her life out.
In an interview with the New York Post, the author said that all women should be entitled to a type of time off so they can invest time in themselves.
“The more I thought about it, the more I came to believe in the value of a “meternity” leave — which is, to me, a sabbatical-like break that allows women and, to a lesser degree, men to shift their focus to the part of their lives that doesn’t revolve around their jobs.”
She appeared on This Morning today to talk about her book with presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield.
The TV duo did not seem pleased with the author’s “meternity” concept and they made her and the audience fully aware.
Philip said:
“Can’t you do that at weekends?
“This isn’t how life works.”
It was the title however that Holly had trouble with.
Fully in support of the idea of people taking sabbaticals if needed, it was the comparison to maternity leave that the presenter had issue with.
“It’s quite dangerous… I think it’s a slightly irresponsible thing to do.”
Meghann quickly tried to defend herself by saying it was only a play on words which didn’t seem to fly with Philip.
“Dodge away as much as you like, that’s what you’re saying.”
However it seems like many disagreed with the TV hosts taking to twitter to show their dissatisfaction with how they handled the interview.
You were really horrible to her! Fact. I'm so angry with @Schofe and @hollywills. You were just awful to her. Shame on you #MeternityLeave
— Emma Alder (@emzkistan) May 4, 2016
#thismorning wow Jeremy Kyle school of interviewing berate till you get the desired result end interview. Class act. #MeternityLeave
— Robert Philips (@Shakey787) May 4, 2016
Feel really sorry for the women on #thismorning absolutely grilled by Phil and holly! Two sides to an argument! #MeTernityLeave
— sophie (@SophieWatts10) May 4, 2016
Some, however, agreed with the pair.
You're living under a rock if you think Maternity Leave is "me" time. Go talk to a new mother about her "time off". #MeternityLeave
— Gem Barrett (@gembarrett) May 3, 2016
Having maternity leave when you havnt even got kids is like having bereavement leave when nobody dies? ! #MeTernityLeave
— Kerry Davies (@kerryd85) May 4, 2016
#MeTernityLeave is the dumbest concept I have ever heard off.
— Katie (@Katie_Next) May 4, 2016
But we want to know what you think.
Were Holly and Philip way too harsh on what was just a catchy title?
Or is it dangerous to compare the two?
And in case you need to see it to make up your mind, you can watch the interview here.
