Jun. 23, 2006 - Stay-at-home-moms talk back
Remember Ms. Hirshman? She's at it again.
Spunky responds: The Wrath of SAHM's
Barbara Curtis weighs in, on the worthiness of staying at home.
The Queen of Carrots decided depth and influence were more important than earning lots of money. This is what she thinks of herself as a SAHM:
"That is what I do. I am the hub of the wheel. I am the wall on which the paintings hang. I am the station where the trains come in. I say this with all modesty, not to brag about how well I do this job, but simply to point out that it is my job, as it is the job of everyone who keeps the home."
and
Lady Lydia assures us that the Common Housewife is completely harmless to society.
Perhaps Linda Hirshman thinks anyone who gives up prestige and paycheck to stay home and raise thier babies is inherently stupid. Maybe she didn't count on the fact that many stay at home moms are educated, articulate, and not willing to take her nonsense lying down.
As to my own thoughts, there is one thing I really don't understand about Ms. Hirschman's position. She seems to believe that a woman should avoid staying at home at all costs, because raising one's babies doesn't involve intelligence, prestige, honor, or money. But surely she doesn't think all women will hold positions of prestige and power if they join the workforce! What about janitors, hamburger flippers, Walmart associates, and truck drivers. For sure, women can do all these jobs. But where is the prestige, power, and I might add, where is the huge paycheck going to come from? What a woman would earn in a job like that might just pay for daycare. I could easily get a great job at a nice daycare, and ship my kids off to someone else. Then I'd be "feminist" and "my own woman" and "independent" and "honored" (by people like Linda Hirschman). But to what end? Why should I go take care of someone else's kids so that I'm not "bound" to my home and my own kids?
Perhaps people like Hirschman want women to flood the workforce, take over, push the men out of all the good positions, and relegate men to toilet scrubbing and day-care running? That would be the only way I could think of that feminists could get their desire for all women to dump their kids in favor of power and prestige. Unfortunately for radical feminists, what they don't realize (or don't want to accept) is that such a feminist "utopia" would never work. They've clearly forgotten that women are perfectly capable of being catty, competitive, unpleasant, backstabbing, discontent and all around jerks in the workplace. Actually, that's one reason I'm glad I'm not working right now. I got my fill of that before I was married, and prefer the quiet, family- and home-centered life, with a few close friends, lots of love, and my husband's job providing what we need to live on.
As to intellect: I'd like to see how well Ms. Hirschman manages to budget her glorious and honorable paycheck, and if she could feed four people plus weekly guests on less than $250/month (without using Ramen noodles once!). I'd be willing to bet she hasn't even tried. It's hard. Does she know where to get a brand new brand name dress for $1? I do. Does she know how to get rid of mold on woodwork? I do. Has she taught her child to count bilingually? I do. How many books does she read per week? I bet I could match her. Non-fiction, too. Does she read the works of people who disagree with her (no she doesn't, according to Spunky)? I do. I find the practice mind stretching and conviction strengthening, rather than overwhelming and upsetting.
So, I'm an uneducated, poor, 4-years-married, 23-year-old wife of one and mother of two. And you know what? I may not be as articulate or intellectual as some other women (stay-at-home or working!), but I do have one thing that is more important than cash and prestige.
I'm happy.
Comments
Jun. 27, 2006 - One thing more important
Posted by homeskoolmom
Not only are you happy, but you are serving and honoring your heavenly Father, by raising Godly seed. That is even more important than being happy!
Have a blessed day,
Christine
Jun. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by sagerats
Well said!
I too had some thoughts about Ms. Hirschman. (you can find the link to my thoughts at the bottom of Spunky's.)
Keep the Home!
Abiding in the Vine!
Jun. 27, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by cappuccinosmom
sagerats, sorry for not linking to you. I kept finding more people who'd written on this and finally had to just go ahead and post!
Jun. 28, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by carrotqueen
I think Ms. Hirshman's idea is that women with exciting, powerful jobs had better stick at them so that women with boring jobs will feel like they should, too. Why this is good for society, though, she never quite makes clear.
DOB read me an article the other day that made me think of your post on clothes. It was tales of various low-lifes with baggy pants who had been thwarted in getting away from the scene of the crime by getting tangled up in their pants. It was sooo funny!
Jun. 29, 2006 - uneducated?
Posted by Martha
You are uneducated? Hmmm....if you read, that is an education, and like you said knowing how to finction in real life is much better than a college degree anyday! Reading is a better education than most college will give you...so don't say you are uneducated. You should take a look at what my kids did today, (Have a look at my blog) That is a bit different than you would find at a local art studio or daycare and I certainly didn't get paid for it, but it was worth more than a paycheck! And hey, I found a book at the library for .50 that I sold for $25! So, I guess I did get paid for today too!
The thing I think, is when we are old and grey, I will look back and not have to think that I wish I knew my children better when they were younger. Hopefully, I will fufill my goal of knowing them now while they are little and enjoying each day of their lives and live maybe dirt poor and in a mobile home, but we have each other!
Jun. 30, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
This was a great post! It's so frustrating to listen to the popular feminist leaders tell women what they should be doing with their lives. What authority do they believe they hold to do this? The hardest part about it is that so many stay at home wives and mothers hear these same critisisms from their friends and families which can be even more hurtful.
I feel the same way you do. I have worked in enviornments where it was ALL women and they were very career oriented. Yes, my paychecks have been bigger . The stress and all around nonsense of the job were not worth it though. I would rather be home or helping my family for no pay! Like you said, money can't buy happiness. In Christ,
Samantha
Jun. 30, 2006 - WhooHooo!
Posted by southernpuritan
Excellent!!!
