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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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:10am

"Pretty much every single marriage I know of is equal."


Holy cow, really?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:13am

I think her definition of equal is different than yours.

Equal to me, and to lvm I think, isn't about 50/50 in each individual area; it's about a 50/50 (or close to it) contribution to the overall relationship.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:15am

"In my marriage, there was never any arguing over what either party wanted in the first place. That's so far outside the realm of my experience that it's difficult for me to even imagine."


Why?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:18am
What do the SAHM's in your area do to raise the WOHM's children?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:20am
In this context, I define "high powered" as someone who can't always ditch work when his or her child is sick.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:20am
I think there is often also a power balance based on dependency with the more dependent person doing more bending. Of course that's in return for being supported so it's not like they get nothing for it so there is give and take. I've just noticed that my opinions carry more weight now that I outearn my dh. My opinions also seem to carry more weight in dealings with other people too because of my occupation. I'm still the same person I was before but I'm treated differently now.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:23am
Ah, well, that's a much less precise definition and one much more susceptible to subjective measurement.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:28am
Heck, dh and I must be high-powered then. Hot dog!
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:29am
It's also much more realistic, workable and successful in relationships.
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-28-2004
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 11:36am

Yes, that's right. Like I said, it is a partnership, built on love and mutual respect. Husband sees and appreciates the value and contributions made in the home, to him and the kids. That is a "job" they both respect and value just as his working outside the home is holding up his end of the partnership and is valued and appreciated. No power plays, no one-upping each other, just a genuine effort to build something they both view as important, each one with equally important roles.

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