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: 06-30-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 7:47pm
Thanks!

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 7:51pm
You know, I don't know anybody in a professional job who hasn't had times when he or she wouldn't easily be able to take off from work with a sick kid. I agree with you that you get more job flexibility as a professional, but you also have more responsibility, and with that comes times when taking off from work would impose a hardship on others. It's not just about having plenty of sick leave; it's about the unpredictability of things like sick kids.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:05pm

Well, I didn't see any qualifier that you were just talking about how your own family would respect you. I thought you were talking about respect from others. I don't see how having a job commands more respect than being a sahm.

I don't expect my family to respect or appreciate me more based on work status.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:31pm

Hmmm? I think the surgeon who worked on my daughter makes a unique contribution to society. One I am very glad exists.

Personally, my contribution isn't unique just unusual but I can think of many people who do indeed make unique contribution to society through their jobs.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:35pm
I have to admit I would have less respect for myself if I chose the lazier route. Like you, I work for retirement and college. We could live off of what my husband makes. (Actually, we could live better off of what I make but no one ever says he should SAH, lol.) My only reasons for SAH came down to pure laziness. It would be an easier life but the cost is too high, IMO. I could never make up for the years out of the work force and wouldn't want to have to try.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:37pm
LOL. Few marriages I know are equal and I'll bet the ones that appear equal aren't. Relationships aren't equal. They're based on give and take and we each need different things and have different things to give.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:39pm
But the mom who is volunteering isn't just staying home.


Edited 10/23/2006 8:40 pm ET by kbmammm
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:41pm
Taking the more difficult road in life often is respected.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:43pm

Good grief. Did I say this is the ONLY thing in marriage? Money can be a compoenent but not be everything. Most people value money to the point they treat those with it differently than those without it. This colors relatioships. However, that is a far cry from saying it's everything in a relatioship.

Jump to extremes much? And an illogical jump at that. If money were the only thing that mattered, the dh of the SAHM wouldn't put up with her SAH. He'd tell her to get her but out and earn some money.




Edited 10/23/2006 8:45 pm ET by kbmammm
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 8:43pm
We *can* make unique contributions through our jobs, but not through the job itself.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

Pages