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.

Pages

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 1:59pm

Well, your husband and you should definately discuss those aspects of your lives... but if your husband knows nothing, or not a lot, about getting stains out of clothes, should he make the final decision? If he's going to do the laundry, for example, he should ask you how to get the stain out, or you should show him how. My husband asks me how I normally clean something specific if he's not sure how it's normally done because i've been the one doing it the past few years.

There is nothing wrong with talking about how it should be done, but if you do know how to do it better, then that should be taken into consideration, yes.




Edited 10/23/2006 2:10 pm ET by iheartsam72
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:02pm
A majority of these types of relationships have at least one partner unhappy. There's plenty to feel sorry for. Then again, contrary to what some think, not all the relationships with huge "power differentials" are SAH/WOH. As kbmamm said, she had less power because she made less than her dh.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:07pm
Well, you decided not to spend money, that is a spending decision. I just think that choosing to spend less, or go without a particular thing is a responsible spending choice. Saying you were not involved in spending decisions means your opinion on what to spend money on doesn't matter... in my opinion anyway.
Avatar for taylormomma
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:09pm

<>

I suppose it's a bit of both. We're pretty much on the same page most of the time. We do disagree on some issues (like getting cable or how much sugar we let the kids consume) but they aren't big issues and it's not a hill either of us are willing to die for.

<>

Yup. We didn't fight, until I'd say about a month before we filed for divorce.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:09pm

Mmmm, mircrobrews. :)

My husband home brews and it's something he has final say in because he now knows how to do it right. I help him out, but I haven't been involved in the little things that need to be done to make it come out right. He does ask me what flavor I would like... i'm partial to the wheat beers and red beers.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:14pm
I agree that 1) not all marriages have "huge" power differential and 2) the ones that do may have those differentials totally apart from each spouse's work status.

<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:15pm
And of course, your dh was refraining from spending money as well, right?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:22pm

I have been thinking the same thing myself. Poor man...

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:22pm

Of course, the only way your theories work is if the only thing people value is money. The only dependency being that of economic dependency.

Not everyone puts money at the top of the list. Really.

And as long as YOU believe you have more power because you make more money, you are going to project a certain image and strength. That projection alone may be why people treat you differently. It probably doesn't matter what your occupation or earnings are.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 2:23pm
As a former school teacher - Honestly could you tell a difference in the behavior of students that had a SAHM vs. a WOHM?

Pages