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 taylormomma
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:15pm

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Pretty much every post you make belies those words.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:22pm

The taxes I pay. My contribution to my employer and the products they make. The example I set showing that women do not have to be restricted in their roles once they have children. My position as an engineer also opens volunteer opportunites like the pre engineering program I work with in the city and career day at my kids school.

What do you contribute?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:23pm
Ok, tell me this. If SAH was abolished tomorrow, what contribution would disappear from society?
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:26pm

Some do. For example, paying taxes to support public services. That is something the unemployed do not do.

You are correct however that our contributions lie in our talents though. However, SAH is not evidence of talent that contributes to society. Working often is. My employer is willing to pay me because of my talents so it kind of goes hand in hand.

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:27pm
No, it's not SAHP's are nothing. People don't become nothing because of their work status. It's SAH doesn't contribute something to society. I'm talking about the act of SAH not the person who is SAH. What that person contributes has to do with what they do not that they SAH.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:31pm

Gee then why is money such a problem for so many? It's the number 1 thing couples fight about. If it's so unimportant why is that?

If I had to guess, I'd say that it's likely that among the wealthy it's not an issue but I do see it as an issue among the middle class. How many SAHM's here would keep their dh's if they decided they no longer wanted to work and earn a living? I wonder?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:31pm

You'll have to clarify your position then, if you think I've completely mangled it. I got from your post that you were trying to say that the person who made more money naturally possessed more power in the relationship and that that person's opinion was rendered more important. You said that the dependency (assuming you mean economic dependency) leads to "the more dependent person doing more bending." I said that that is only true if the thing you are valuing most in the marriage is money.

How did I jump to extremes? To me, it is pretty extreme to have one person in a marriage treat another person differently based on his or her current income. I don't really get marriages that function as business relationships like that. What happens when one spouse can't make any money at all, for whatever reason? Is that marriage going to survive such radical changes in status for the spouses? That doesn't really meet my definition of a functional loving marriage.

Your last paragraph was humorous. Surely you see the irony in mentioning money as the only thing that matters and SAH? I thought it went without saying that when money is the only thing that matters, SAH is the bald stepchild that no one loves.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:35pm

I have to ask....

Do you think you would not be respected if you didn't work, even for a short period of time?

Do you think your husband would not let you have say in decisions?

If you think that... how is that any different from the 50's? Yes you may work now, at a job that probably wouldn't have been available to you in the 50's... but if you think the only way a woman can get respect is by working in a high paid or high power job... then nothing much has changed since the 50s

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:36pm

I'm keeping mine.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2006
Mon, 10-23-2006 - 10:42pm

Well probably b/c they are trying to make end''s met. Money problem's does not equate money power.

Money issue's are common in the wealthy...b/c you have money it does not magiacally end money issue's.

I highly doubt most SAHM's would leave their dh's if they the sahm had a job.

What a awful thing to imply.

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