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: 01-04-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 6:29am
Its not about doing because something bad will happen or getting in trouble, its doing it because people are relying on you. See here is where I have a problem with your position, it appears as if you think it is all about money/fear and not a real desire to be dependable. I have only stated that because SAHMs responsibility is primarily to their family, it is much easier (trust me, I'd rather do things for DD any time then a client who is going to bicker about a $5000 bill even though I just saved a company tens of thousands of dollars in taxes). . . and I believer that has some minor effect in the work ethic that is being modeled.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-04-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 6:33am

You must have missed the part where I stated she has sat through phone conferences and meetings. In addition, her dad is mall optometrist, every time we are there we stop in (she loves getting her eyes checked if he has time) and she sees him attending to patients.

Not to mention, she sees me doing all the same things SAHM do. . . laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, paying bills, etc. So actually she sees me working all the time (and playing, because we do a lot of that too.)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 6:54am

ITA with your posts.

Being a WOH parent in and of itself is absolutely not unique of special. Millions or people do it and have done it for hundreds of years. Same thing with sah.




Edited 10/24/2006 7:06 am ET by debbiemom2girls
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:01am

Absolutely none of what you just wrote makes you unique.

As a wohm, I help people get better. I have had 2 people code on me now and helped bring them back. I have helped quite a few people die in peace. I have had people try to give me money (would never take it in a million years) for giving their parent such good care.

And I am like thousands of other nuses. I am not unique at all.

You being an engineer is not unique. I am sure you and I could be replaced at our jobs in a heartbeat.

As a sahm, I drove around they city giving out meals. I volunteered for the reading program at school. I run (collect and organize) clothing drives.

Still none of that makes me unique.

Most of us contribute to society in some way.

I just do not see the point in thinking I am somehow a better person b/c of what I do for a living or while at home.

Do you think the person working at Sears is somehow below you b/c their contribution is not as "unique" as yours.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:03am
In most normal marriages, people fight over the lack of money or cost of living. Most people do not fight and power trip over who makes more. That is a huge difference.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-18-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:05am
ROFLMAO...............
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:33am
I help mold my children into wonderful human beings fulltime. I volunteer and help those in need. I make the lives of my husband and children less complicated and more relaxing. I am available whenever my children need me. I teach my kids by example that being at home with them is more important than money....to name a few.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:36am
Then you must think that daycares and other childcare personel contribute nothing to society by caring for children.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 7:56am
None of those are intrinsic to your role as a WOHM. They are intrinsic to you as an individual worker. Many WOHPs work very hard but pay little or no income tax because they earn too little for that. The example you set wrt work status and working with kids on a voluntary basis around career development are by no means restricted to parents currently employed.

Sabina


Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 8:23am

"Mine has the "ladies" bible study at 9:00 in the morning. Shouldn't that be "non working ladies" bible study? "

The times for bible studies are generally deterimed by what works best for the people attending them. If "working ladies" want a bible study that works best for their hours then it is up to them to start one, not up to others to cater to them. My ladies bible study is at 10:30 Sunday morning because that is what works best for us (all working woman, either empty nesters or mothers of teenagers). It is not a good time for others so they have their own meetings at times that work better for them.

The same would hold true for a Mom's group. If you want a meeting at 7:00 on week night then organize one, don't complain about when others take the time to organize one with timing that works best for them.

These things are during the day because someone took the time and effort to start them and since they did so they of course planned them at a time that worked best for them. Nothing stops a WOHM from doing the same.

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