Unique contributions to society
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| 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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Mondo
>>A sahm *does* do something a working parent doesn't--she takes care of her kids during the day. Just like your dcp takes care of yours. Bet you see *her* value to society.<<
Yes, its ok for someone else (a paid someone) to watch your children for you, but if a parent actually wants to do it themselves instead...? Whoa! Watch out! What a selfish, lazy person that parent must be! @@
geesh...
Yeah, but that's the thing. What is "impractical" to one person isn't to another. That's the whole point. The wife may would prefer to live on a much lesser income with her DH working at Home Depot in order to stay in her home town (she had dealt with severe depression before when moved away from her support system). The husband wasn't willing to. Either of those decisions *could* have worked.
Who gets to decide which position is the right one for the couple, assuming they both are equally sure their way is right?
Mondo
I never stated that there is no value in the choice. I was simply responding to the original topic which is what is the unique contribution to society. My position is that there is no unique contribution to society. The contribution of raising a child is not unique to SAHM and unless the SAHM is performing some other task (ie volunteering) that there is actually no unique contribution and quite honestly everyone with children is pretty much on equal playing field when it comes to contributing. It is what is done above and beyond that that then begins defining the difference in contribution.
For example the trash collector is providing a unique contribution (keeping the community free of trash, diease, flies, etc) that the teacher does not provide. The teacher is providing a unique contribution (assisting children in earning a degree) that the electrician does not provide.
And if everyone decided to simply stay home tomorrow and simply go for personal satisfaction society would come to a screeching halt (I am talking big conceptual, never going to happen, but go along with me for the point of making a point situation)so I am simply pointing out the contribution above and beyond raising a child that work provides and we certainly need it to provide to have a functioning society.
That you some how took any of my post to determine "value" I think is more about your opinion than mine. I see the value in raising the next contributing generation of society, in fact it is exteremly necessary (otherwise I would not be putting up with what this next kid is doing to my body right now), I have only stated that that contrtibution is not unique to SAH and that by working (or volunteering) a unique contribution is being made.
I never stated a value position of SAH. I simply am stating that there is no unique contribution to SAH. For example, if you think my dcp is providing value, then the SAHM is providing the same value - it is not unique to SAH- it is unique to people who provide care for children. I have not made a value judgment -you have.
"A sahm *does* do something a working parent doesn't--she takes care of her kids during the day."
Not always.
If a SAHM's children are in school full time then she is not taking care of her children during the day either.
If working parents are doing shift work and working opposite shifts (like my sister and her DH) then they take care of their children during the day.
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