"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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The definition on this board, and in many other circles, of a SAHM is a mom who does not work for pay. Therfore, you are not a SAHM. You are a WAHM.
Why can't you admit it? Why can't you abide by that definition? That's been set for years? That is corrorborated by outside sources? Is there something wrong with being a WAHM? I certainly don't think so, as I was one for some time. Several posters here are WAHMs.
It isn't that we don't *want* you to be a SAHM ... you. just. aren't. You. don't. fit. the. definition. It has nothing to do with what I want ... or what you want. It has to do with definitions.
ON this board? Yep.
Call yourself whatever you like in public. But on this board, you should abide by the rules/definitions of this board, if you want to participate in discussions on an even keel with everyone else. It really is hard for people to effectively communicate, debate and discuss when one or two lone participants are operating under totally different definitions.
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