"We don 't believe in that [WOHM]"
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| Mon, 01-09-2006 - 11:31am |
On Friday, as I was driving hom from work, I stumbled across an interview with the wife of the one surviving miner from the collapse in WVa. In the course of the interview, someone asked her if she worked.
Her response was that they don't believe in that. She explained that her husband was very proud of the fact that he was the sole supporter of the family, and that he didn't need her help in supporting them. She explained that they just don't believe in women working after they have kids and husbands, and that they believe her place is at home with the kids.
My heart really goes out to her, and this post isn't about her, but about the sentiment that women shouldn't work because their place is at home. And being a real man, even if it means working in dangerous conditions, long hours, holding two jobs and being a step away from poverty at every turn, means that your wife doesn't work.
I suppose this is the first time that I've heard someone, not a movie character or a character in a book, express this sentiment. I don't understand why anyone would be proud to limit their spouse's potential. Or why be proud that you live right on the poverty line?
If they didn't see the dangers of their POV before, surely that entire community, and even the whole country, has now seen the risk that we talk about on here all the time, the risk that suddenly the SAHM will need to find a way to financially support the family. I wonder if anyone will re-think what they believe in.

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Mondo
Do you have a link to any of this misinformation? I'd love to see something reliable saying that 51% of Americans can't find their home state on a map. It is true that at the start of the Iraqi War, most citizens couldn't distinguish Iraq from Iran, but there's no surprise there. On the "news" last night, there were stories about Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Anniston. Probably 1 minute was spent on the Iraqi War. People retain what information is relevant to them, and the Iraqi War is apparently of very little relevance to US citizens.
Americans are taught in school about our founding brothers and fathers, so you're wrong there. What people choose to *retain* is a different story. Such as someone reading a survey and inaccurately culling from that the notion that Americans can't locate their home states.
PNJ's mom clarified "federalism" was the wrong term for the reason States may or may not have different laws. So, basically, unless you've got some sources, you've given Americans less credit than they're entitled to.
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