Unique contributions to society

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Unique contributions to society
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Thu, 10-19-2006 - 4:12pm

In another thread, the "unique" contributions of SAHM's were alluded to but it wasn't stated what they are. Let's play a game and find out what they are. First, pretend that as of tomorrow, all moms SAH and detail what will be missing from society then pretend that all moms go to work and detail what will be missing from society. I'm really curious as to what people think a world without SAHM's orWOHM's would look like.

If all the moms who SAH went to work then the library would move story hour to the evening and summer vacation bible school would be held in the evenings so that all kids can attend and not just the kids of SAHM's. Banks would likely shift their hours to later in the day and you'd see more 24 hour stores. I think there would be more home cooking style restaurants too. I think day care centers would improve because of increased demand.

If all moms who WOH suddenly SAH, you'd see fewer service industries around because moms could do things themselves instead of paying for them. The nursing shortage would be more of a shortage. We'd probably have a shortage of teachers too. There'd be fewer government services because there'd be less tax dollars to pay for them. I can't think of anything else right now.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2005
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 8:38pm
I really have no idea where you picked up the "moral superiority" thing, because I never stated such or even intended such. I only stated that inherent in most jobs is some benfit to society that is unique to that job and that there is no specific unique contribution of SAH (beyond the care of a child which is performed by WOHP and DCP).
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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 8:38pm
I agree. That was when I worked part time I always made sure to share that fact. The dynamics of ptwoh and ftwoh can be very different.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 8:47pm
Why are you not a fan of all day kindy? Just curious, because we have had extended day kindy for those kiddos who needed to "catch up" and many of those kids have not only caught up, but passed their 1/2 day peers. Next year we are going to all day kindy for everyone and I am thrilled. Many of these kids are in daycare for those hours they aren't in school anyway, why not have them in school and advancing?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 8:50pm
I don't see where you're getting that. I didn't say the sahm was doing "more." I said the wohm wasn't doing more than the sahm simply by virtue of working. The claim was that the wohm was doing everything the sahm was doing plus "something more." I was pointing out that the sahm was caring for her child during the day while the wohm was working. I don't have to prove the sahm was doing it better than a dcp to say that she's spending more time doing it than a wohm.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:07pm

Of course I see the difference. Don't you?

I didn't want my kids in group care when they were small because I didn't see any benefit to it. At that age, I prefer more individual attention from a single caregiver who's going to be there in the long run.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2005
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:07pm

At my DD daycare/preschool it is very structured, they are expected to behave and expected to learn. Why would you think differently?

In fact we went to a preschool aged story time at the local library one friday and my DD was very annoyed because the kids attending did not know how to "criss cross applesauce" and stay still and the moms had to keep chasing 3 and 4 year olds who were up and down and all over the place. She told me she wanted to go do story time at school because she could hear the story.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:26pm

I didn't accuse you of saying that sahms don't make a contribution. I disagreed with your statement that wohms are doing something "more" than sahms in terms of social contribution simply by working. ("but by definition, wohps pretty much necessarily not only care for their children but also make another social contribution, unless their work is something that provides zero benefit to society--say, that of a hitwoman, paid under the table.")

And I do think that saying wohms are doing "more" than sahms in terms of their social contribution is a value judgment. The other poster said that even the trash collector was making a unique contribution to society--but the sahm wasn't. Sorry, I think that's a value judgment too.

Nobody's getting wild here but you.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:27pm
I don't think pushing kids into academics at a younger age is the answer.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:40pm
I can't begin to imagine WOH with 3 kids unless I had a very talented and dedicated full time nanny and a supportive, available dh.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 9:43pm
My guess is that they have kids who aren't in school yet.

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