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: 09-04-1997
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:06pm
Doesn't being a control freak negate all possibilty of equality within a marriage? I mean, if the alternative is "my way or the highway," doesn't that leave the other person in the position of having to either turn everything into a continual battle, defer to the control freak, or withdraw from the situation, either physically or psychically?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:14pm
Yeah, largely.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:17pm
What has magic got to do with it?
The child isn't home, the *need* may not be as great for the parent to be home anymore...
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:24pm
And you're OK with that?
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-31-2005
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:27pm

I'm sure you'll come back at me that some dual WOHP's of pre-schoolers are able to work alternate shifts and never require child care, but that is the exception rather than the rule. For the most part dual WOHP's do have to use alternative childcare, whether that be day care, a nanny, grandma, an in-home provider. Once the child begins formal education, there is a certain period of time during each day when the child will be in school anyway, so a SAHP wouldn't be able to provide child care. The job of caregiver is rendered obsolete during school hours, unless of course, the SAHP homeschools.

For me the purpose of SAH is so I can be my son's caregiver--once DS starts school I would have a hard time justifying my decision to SAH, nor would I want to--except in the summers (if I weren't a teacher). For me the primary debate always has been about the working status of parents with young children (before kindergarten age).

I do think calling day care "school" is disingenuous. If toddlers really are attending "school," than SAHP's are "home schooling." That's just an aside, not directed at you.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 3:58pm

There must be some magic in there somewhere, how else does one explain it?


<<The child isn't home, the *need* may not be as great for the parent to be home anymore...>>


The child isn't home when they are in daycare either, there isn't a *need* for a parent to home then either, correct?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 4:00pm

Im talking about women who decide to stay at home with their small children... when that child starts school, that woman who stays at home isn't needed for part of the day anymore to provide child care...

There is no magic... it's simple concept

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 4:12pm

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...and how do you know that it is the exception rather than the rule?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 4:15pm

<<Im talking about women who decide to stay at home with their small children... when that child starts school, that woman who stays at home isn't needed for part of the day anymore to provide child care... >>


That's what I am talking about as well.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Wed, 10-25-2006 - 4:19pm

Child is born... child is at home... mom decides to stay home...

Child turns 5... child starts school.... POOF... child is no longer at home from 9 to 3 ish...

Theres the magic.

Is the mom absolutely *needed* to be at home for those hours?

Im not talking after school care... I'm sure there are plenty of flexible jobs that will allow the parent to still care for their own child

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