Working for Lifestyle/Extras

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-22-2005
Working for Lifestyle/Extras
3621
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 11:13am

Hi Ladies :)

This is my first time on this debate board and I have been dying to jump into some of the topics, but I feel as though they are sooooo long (one in particular is over 1000 replies, yikes!) that starting my own specific one might work out better.

Anyhow, a recurring theme here seems to be what Moms should and shouldn't be going to work for. It seems some are of the opinion that is OK for Mom to work if she must to pay her bills but NOT if its to afford a nice car, house, good neighborhood. This is considered keeping up with the Johnses (who are they???) and thats bad.

Well, I want to know what in the heck is wrong with a women working to have nice things? I don't mean working and leaving baby in child care 16 hours a day, everyday...thats pretty extreme.

I enjoyed a certain lifestyle before having a child, should I have downsized that lifestyle once baby came so I didn't have to work? What about me *wanting* to maintain a certain lifestyle for myself, my husband, and my child makes me a (a) workaholic or (b) striving to keep up with the Joneses?

Don't some people (like myself) simply enjoy living in a nice place with nice things and want their children to have the same experience?

So please, anyone who thinks a women is wrong for WOH if she is not doing so to financially survive but does it to maintain a certain lifestyle...whats wrong with this?

Thanks all :)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 5:35pm
Seniors do this because they are losing their hearing. Not enough to need a hearing aid but enough so that they prefer the TV somewhat louder than younger people.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 5:41pm
I know that, of course, but what I don't get is the attachment to having it on even when trying to talk to people.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 5:49pm
Lucky you.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:06pm
Yeah, my in-laws have five tvs, and they often have more than one going at the same time! Although my mom doesn't watch tv other than the news, she has that stock report ticker-tape thing on, with the sound muted, 24 hrs/day.
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:10pm
I grew up in a house like that. My dad always had the tv on, even though he was a big reader and usually had his nose in a book. I think some people just like the noise, but it drives me nuts.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:10pm
LOL, the stock report ticker-tape thing!

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:14pm
The stock market is her hobby--she sometimes regrets that she didn't start a second career as a stockbroker after the kids were grown. But still, it's annoying having it on all the time (and championship wrestling would be way more interesting to watch). ;)
Avatar for mom34101
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:18pm
Maybe in a top suburban school district, but 80% would be a very good school in our urban school district. Most of the students in our district are minority and low-income. I think what all this testing has shown is that it's mainly about socioeconomics.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:19pm
Me, too.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-30-2006
Wed, 12-20-2006 - 6:31pm
I agree, it's all about SES.

Sabina

Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song,

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