Spunky Homeschool

The Unfulfilled Lawyer?

Feb. 25, 2006 at 9:32 AM

family

I have a good friend whose husband is an airline pilot. He's a friendly, chatty guy. The kind of guy you hope you stand behind in a long line at an amusement park. (Some find him even more amusing than the rides.) He becomes instant friends with everyone he meets. Many times before a flight he will talk with the waiting passengers. Often they are in the process of moving and ask him if he knows what the people are like in their new town. As a world traveler he's met with people from just about everywhere, and likes just about all of them. He could just offer his experience; people are nice everywhere. But he's a smart guy. He doesn't answer them right away. Instead, he asks them a simple question,
"What are the people like where you are from?"
If they tell him how horribly miserable the people were back in their previous town, and how glad they are to leave then he responds that they're just as horribly miserable in the new place. If they respond with a glowing report of happy neighbors and lots of close friends that they hate to leave, then he encourages them by saying that the people in their new town are just as happy and nice.

In general I think he's right. Happy, vibrant people who enjoy their lives tend to believe others are living happy, content lives too. Miserable people believe just the opposite. They think everyone is miserable BUT them.

I was thinking about that today when I read this quote from feminist law professor Linda Hirshman . Ms. Hirshman doesn't believe the homemaker's claim that taking care of a family is the most fulfilling thing they could imagine;
"I would like to see a description of their daily lives that substantiates that position," Hirshman said. "One of the things I've done working on my book is to read a lot of the diaries online, and their description of their lives does not sound particularly interesting or fulfilling for a complicated person, for a complicated, educated person."
She goes on to counsel women against having more than one child. Why? Because entering the working with two children is just too difficult! It only get's more ridiculous from there. She tells educated women who have left the workforce that they have "let down the team". And if the trend continues the Supreme Court could become ALL MALE. Gasp!

So in light of my wise friend, who do you think is the real unfulfilled soul here? The simpleton writing an online journal or the complicated lawyer reading them all for a book telling us how miserable we all really are?

(Hat tip to Ann at Palm Tree Pundit. She's another one of those suffering, unfulfilled mom's slaving away at her duties on the beaches of Hawaii. Pity the poor gal.)

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7 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by Dell on Feb. 25, 2006 at 12:36 PM

I doubt the lawyer's day, if journaled on just the average day would sound fulfilling. Pushing papers, checking in with office staff, preparing statements ... BORING!

Great post, yet again! Isn't it crazy how bad these types are at compartmentalizing and sterio-typing? The arrogance in assuming that there is only fulfillment in certain venues... Or that a "complex and educated" person can't enjoy the domestic life. (Honestly there is MUCH more room for variety in my job description than most careers!)

posted by teena6 on Feb. 25, 2006 at 5:09 PM

Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing. I think she is missing the WHOLE pic. Poor thing! LOL
blessings,
Teena

posted by DandelionSeeds on Feb. 25, 2006 at 6:36 PM

Would you please spread the word about Candace's surgery tomorrow? I have a prayer list on my blog for anyone who would like to take a specific time to pray.

Thanks,
Amy

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Feb. 25, 2006 at 9:09 PM

Amy, I posted a link to it on my previous post. See Blog Keeping at HSB. I posted a prayer request last night.

posted by kindredspiritMom on Feb. 25, 2006 at 11:36 PM

I for one am very fulfilled...guess that makes me "uncomplicated." HA!!! No career I've ever had has brought so much "scope for the imagination" as mothering and specifically homeschooling. I hope that she has a Damacus road experience someday.

posted by jaminacema on Feb. 26, 2006 at 3:54 PM

I can't imagine being so unsatisfied with my life that I had to read other peoples blogs and critic whether or not they were happy! LOL I just wrote a post a couple days ago called Time For Me about a conversation I had with my 80 year old aunt about if I am really content with my life. Couldn't figure out how to post trackback, but I wish miss lawyer lady would find it!

posted by Melkhi on Feb. 26, 2006 at 6:35 PM

She's #77 on some top-100 list of "People Who Are Screwing Up America". It is so ironic that a feminist such as herself would be opposed to women making the choice to stay at home. She advocates womens' freedom of choice as long as all women choose what SHE thinks is right.

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