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: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:09pm

My dd, who is in college now, started preschool the year before she went to K. Her birthday is in October, so in our district she was allowed to start K when she wasn't quite 5 yet. She went to preschool, run by our school district, 2 mornings a week. She went into preschool already knowing her letters and numbers, how to write her name, her telephone number, etc. because we worked on these things at home. Like you said, you and your dh are already educating your dd. I, certainly, don't see a problem with that.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:12pm

Thanks for sharing. I am just trying to get an idea of who is working ft and who is working pt.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:14pm

Do you think that having othercare in place is what helps give flexibility, regardless of how many hours you work?

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:15pm

I agree. IMO though, there are issues that come into play with an infant that don't with a preschooler.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:18pm

IMO, it can be a slippery slope if kids have too much of their time "managed". Sometimes they can lose some of their ability to entertain themselves.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-12-2004
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:25pm

I understand that not every child is ready for things at the same time, but there is a general range that can be applied to most kids. A 14 year old may be ready for college in some ways, perhaps academically, but that doesn't mean that a 14 year old has the maturity or life experience to be successful in college.

Reasons for avoiding othercare would be personal to each family.

Robin

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:30pm
the parent is not needed as much between 9 and 3 when the child is in full time school....
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 6:33pm
We've been living in the same place since before we were married. We live in a smaller town, and from what my friend tells me there is 3 places for preschools. We may consider moving as they get older to get them better education if it warrants it. But this is where our job is, and the cost of living is pretty decent. We could move to alarger town, but the houses are more expensive and the cost of living higher, and i might not make as much... i do pretty good for our area.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 7:50pm
my 3 year old's preschool is,hands down,a better preschool than la petite academy down the street where patrons are woh families whose children are confined to that setting from sun up to sun down on a regular basis.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Thu, 10-26-2006 - 8:20pm
Yes, but the childcare was paid for by the organization that I volunteered for.

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