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: 11-12-2003
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:42am
I don't think that people work only out of fear or for money. I don't think anything bad of WOH at all, I've done it and will again soon. But I also don't agree that doing something with an external motivation is harder than doing something with only internal motivation. You are thinking of things that are fun to do... there is a lot of crap I do that I would rather not do at all, and it certainly isn't fun. And I think that most WOHMs do the same stuff. It's just I don't agree with you on which things model work ethic for children better.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:47am

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I find it is much easier to get things done when I have external motivation. That's part of why my job works so well for me and SAH doesn't.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:48am
If you're basing your argument mainly on income taxes, I'd say that's not much of a hands-down, clear-cut standard when placed into the larger scheme of things.

Sabina


Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 11:59am
Dh and I never agree on a car. We both just pick what we want. Why does it matter what the other spouse thinks if only one person will be driving it? (Although, special case, my dh has veto power on my choices if they are too difficult to work on or have a tendency to be unreliable in his opinion. Has to do with him being a mechanic, though, not the amount of money he makes.)
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:10pm

I have to disagree with you on this one. It matters to both spouses, and both spouses should have some input. The decision on a car has the potential to affect the other members of the family and the spouse. Therefore, those members, especially the spouse, should have some input.

Reasons include:
1) the children will be riding in it. If one spouse isn't considering the safety needs of the children, the other spouse needs to have some veto power.
2) the children will be riding in it. If one spouse is wanting a car that is a 2-seater convertible, thus necessitating the other spouse to do all the kid shuffling, then the 2nd spouse's needs need to be taken more seriously. Veto power might be a necessity there too.
3) finances. If spouse A is wanting a $50K car, which will put the debt/income ratio too low for the other spouse's tastes, or will prevent the family from having other needs met, then some veto power is in order.

I want a small SUV. I'm not going to just barell out and buy one now, with no input from Allne, because it would put us into an uncomfortably tight budget, that would affect allen and the kids. I'd love to have a 2-seater convertible. But I'm not going to choose that without allen's input because 1) it would require that his car be used for all kid-related stuff, 2) it would be a stick-shift which he can't drive.

Now, if the choice is between a blue Honda and a black Toyota, who the he!! cares and whoever will be driving it should get to choose.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:16pm
I think that is part of the reason I find WOH easier than SAH. (And why I can't wait to go back to WOH!!) I find external motivation makes getting things done much easier. Take my house for instance... I think it will be packed much quicker next week, when the external motivator of "You are moving to your new house in 3 days, woman!" is looming. LOL
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-23-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:20pm
Only a jerk of a husband would use making more money as leverage for making a huge decision like what kind of car to buy. I would consider anyone that uses bringing in more money as a power leverage as SELFISH. Just because my DH makes more money than me we still make financial decisions on what is most practical for us as a family. Right now - even though he and I both want me to stay home with the kids - we cannot financially afford it. We do not pull POWER TRIPS on each other because we both know that in our situation that anyday now our status on the bread winning scale could be reversed by a layoff, accident, or promotion. I would hate to be the poor person that has the spouse with a power trip. Now if both spouses pull these selfish power trips than that marriage was probably doomed from the beginning.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-12-2003
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:21pm
You're right, I was assuming the more trivial aspects of the decision.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:24pm
You realize that your definition also encompasses the illegal mowing your lawn and the guy working behind the counter at McD's, right?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-15-2006
Tue, 10-24-2006 - 12:25pm
I think the major parameters of the purchase should be decided upon together. Price range. Overall category of car (SUV, truck, sedan, convertible). When to buy it. Financing options. Safety features. Then, as long as what the person wants fits within those parameters, they can get whatever they want.

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