It’s true — being a mom isn’t a “job.” A job is something you do for part of the day and then stop doing. You get a paycheck. You have unions and benefits and break rooms. I’ve had many jobs; it’s nothing spectacular or mystical. I don’t quite understand why we’ve elevated “the workforce” to this hallowed status. Where do we get our idea of it? The Communist Manifesto? Having a job is necessary for some — it is for me — but it isn’t liberating or empowering. Whatever your job is — you are expendable. You are a number. You are a calculation. You are a servant. You can be replaced, and you will be replaced eventually. Am I being harsh? No, I’m being someone who has a job. I’m being real.
If your mother quit her role as mother, entire lives would be turned upside down; society would suffer greatly. The ripples of that tragedy would be felt for generations. If she quit her job as a computer analyst, she’d be replaced in four days and nobody would care. Same goes for you and me. We have freedom and power in the home, not the office. But we are zombies, so we can not see that.
Yes, my wife is JUST a mother. JUST. She JUST brings forth life into the universe, and she JUST shapes and molds and raises those lives. She JUST manages, directs and maintains the workings of the household, while caring for children who JUST rely on her for everything. She JUST teaches our twins how to be human beings, and, as they grow, she will JUST train them in all things, from morals, to manners, to the ABC’s, to hygiene, etc. She is JUST my spiritual foundation and the rock on which our family is built. She is JUST everything to everyone. And society would JUST fall apart at the seams if she, and her fellow moms, failed in any of the tasks I outlined.
Head on over there to read the whole piece!
This is a great piece! I actually read something else by this gentleman a few weeks ago, and it was spot on, so after that and the one you shared, I went back and read some of his other posts. He seems fairly conservative, and I really like what he has to say. Thanks for sharing...I now have another blog to follow. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I too have seen several pieces by him recently. I think one on breast feeding caused quite a (good) stir. The only thing is, that women have been saying this same stuff of ages, but now that a man is saying it, more people are nodding and standing up and applauding. It would be nice to see the same positive feedback for all the women who have also been saying, "Being JUST a mom is enough!" (I do realize he's not the first male columnist to support nursing in public, mothers at home, etc. but he is getting quite a bit of attention these last few months.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I do like what he has to say, and of course, I agree! It is well-written, and phrased perfectly.