Straits Times, 15th March 2008, "Wooing women back to work", Insight, S8

A recent government survey found that one in three women mid-lifers has never held a job and the 2007 Report on Singapore's Labour Force identifies 3 main reasons.

They are : housework, poor health and raising children.

Few will dispute the merit of staying home to care for the children and home

But, as sociologist Jennifer Jarman from the National University of Singapore puts it : "The question that many will have to answer is whether the financial, social and personal rewards for working outweigh the costs of that kind of work."

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Hmm......what does that say to you? Well, it got me worked up again lah!

That kind of work vs financial, social and personal rewards.

Is that all it boils down to? Ahh!!! Here we go, worldy wisdom again!

That kind of work is raising souls for eternity, that kind of work impacts future generations and in turn, the state of the world depends on that kind of work. Grrr..............

Then in Sunday Times, the next day, there was an advertisement by the National Family Council titled, "The best of both worlds". It tells women how it is "possible to have the best of both worlds at home and the workplace".

Their solution is one where everyone work their way around you and your needs so that YOU can have the best of both worlds! The sub-head reads "A supportive husband and an understanding boss allow Madam xxx to enjoy both motherhood and a fulfilling career".

Let's get real here - can we really have the best of both worlds all the time? Maybe for a season but all the time?

Coz ultimately something has to go. Now who or what is it that has to let that something go? Husband? Children? Grandparents? High powered career path? Spiritual health?

Obviously, this is my very opiniated opinion  - it is not possible to have your cake and eat it all the time. You may pull it off for a period of time but it is not sustainable. Someone/something will suffer. The superwoman myth is just that - a myth.

Back to the question posed by the sociologist -

Have YOU, dear SAHM, done your sums, so to speak and concluded that it IS worth it to give up the financial, social and personal rewards for that kind of work that you are doing now?

On some days I am not sure! Especially when there are whiney and sick babies to tend to and a temper tantrum throwing child to discipline and train.

But Yes, it IS worth it to me. I do not want to give that kind of work up to get the so-called financial, social and personal, rewards that the world has to offer. Thanks but no thanks!

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Articles for the Christian SAHM can be found at :

www.BuildingUpMoms.com

Posted by Anonymous

One thing that I THINK the govt is concern with is: The burdens we SAHM will impose on the society when we are aged. In fact, if i didn't remember wrongly, a part of the article did mention that woman tend to live longer than man. And when our spouse are no longer around, leaving we SAHM, WHO will support and take care of us? esp when there are not much money in our CPF account due to our SAHM status.

Honestly, if I look at the govt point of view, it is a valid concern and worry cos we are of a small nation with very limited resources.

In fact, when I look from my own point of view, I AM concern too. By the very fact that I really don't have any retirement funds in place.

BUT, my final point of view is::: God's point of view. To trust Him and know that He will give me the direction and provides for me.

From me who just met you on Tues morning ;) kiasi, and staying anonymous :P

Posted by MamaLim

Yes, I *know* that the governemtn has to do what it has to do to get our country functioning at this level of progress. And yes, we all choose whether we will agree with it or not.

What I did *not* like was what the sociologist said about measuring our worth against the so-called benefits the world gives.

Because in the end it is *not* about money, is it ?

As I read somewhere before, we march to a different drumbeat :-)