Unique contributions to society

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Unique contributions to society
1504
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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Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:33pm
ITA. Kids learn through play. Pushing them into academics when they are not ready is not a good thing. I know parents who actually think their kids are "behind" because they're not reading when they start K.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:40pm

....and why is that?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:41pm

Now that is cool.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:41pm

Well, I have to say that there is a difference between pushing a child into academics and giving them an advantage. My parents read to me and my brother a lot growing up and I was one of the only few children who could read in kindergarten... We just learned to read by sitting with my dad and watching him read to us... I definately have to say it gave us both an advantage when school started, we were both above average students (not trying to toot my own horn here ;)

Reading is something simple that can be done to your child without feeling like you are pushing that child to learn too much too early.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:42pm
I have to say carpooling is the greatest thing since sliced bread! This is the first year that the mother's in my development have gotten organized enough to do it. There are 3 of us with big enough cars, so I only pick up 2 days a week. Love it! Sounds like it all worked well for you, you may be more attracted to all day when all of yours are in school...that is my deal. When just my older two were kindergarteners I still had 2 or 3 at home or in preschool, but next year with 3 out of 4 of them gone all day it is going to be beyond joy to add that 4th one to an all day schedule. 7:30-2:05 to myself every day...(okay, not really--but I will still be in control of how I dedicate those hours to my other stuff --volunteering and working) I can't wait...
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:43pm

I dont think I am getting my original point across right... I think I even forgot what I was talking about originally now... What i really was trying to say is that I do not see the point of being an at home parent when full time school starts because I would not be needed at home during the school hours. I'd end up sitting on my butt in front of the TV. I would be bored out of my skull. I can see the desire and need to be at home before the child starts full time school...

I was not trying to debate the advantage or disadvantage of othercare... or school vs daycare or preschool... I was trying to say that I dont see the point of being a 100% at home parent during school years.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-08-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:47pm
Compared to many of their classmates they are behind. Be it right or wrong it is the reality, at least at our school. The differences between kids who had no preschool (and apparently parents who didn't even make an effort to teach their kids colors and how to count to 10) is dramatic. Intellectually I can see that letting kids progress at their own pace is the right way to do things...but I would have had palpitations if my kid wasn't doing basic reading prior to starting kindy. I am one of those pushy moms I guess--probably will end up with burned out middle schoolers (fortunately my older two are already reading at the middle school level in 3rd and 4th grades so I guess I can relax until high school ;)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:50pm

If this is a double post, excuse that error as mine seems to have disappeared.


<<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. >>


Then they are doing the same?


<<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. >>


They are.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:52pm
My SIL does it.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Fri, 10-27-2006 - 2:59pm

Well, yes I see difference all over the place between putting a infant/toddler in a group setting and putting a 5 year old in a group setting even in my own children.....but I'm not assigning a negative value to those differences.

PumpkinAngel

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