Do you think SAHM's are.....

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Do you think SAHM's are.....
1
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 10:50am

Not trying to start a debate or anything but I'm wondering what your perspective and experiences are pertaining to this question...

Do you think SAHM's are looked down on society?

My MIL says that women who choose to stay at home with their children are oppressed and rejected and generally looked down on.

What do you think?

Jenn

Lilypie 1st Birthday Ticker
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Wed, 08-24-2005 - 11:17am
On the contrary, when I was announcing to my students' parents and other people that I was leaving my high school counseling job after I would give birth, every single person said how great it was that I was going to be able to do that. Only one person gave her two cents worth on how she thought I should just take the summer off and then come back (I was her son's counselor and she was a wreck as a person anyway). However..now that I've BEEN a SAHM, I don't like it one bit. I was ready to go back to work after 3 months but knew I only wanted to go back at the college level, and also, contrary to what your MIL has said, I was afraid of the OTHER side of it with all the people thinking I SHOULD stay at home b/c it's "better for my son." So I think it's all in who you talk to. Personally, for those who stay at home and enjoy it, I envy you. I thought the only thing in the world I wanted to do was stay at home until I did it. I actually have a lot of respect for moms who stay at home and do it so gracefully. I'm not one of them, and it's super hard to admit I'm not a "natural" at it or that I don't like it and would rather be around adults during the day. So, to sum up, I don't think women who stay at home are generally "looked down" upon at all, but I think that is coming from the perspective of one (me) who has done it and had a lot of feedback early on about what a great thing I was doing. Ask one person, they will say it's wonderful, ask another, and they will wonder why you want to do it at all. It all depends. And if this makes any difference, I think we each have to decide if WE feel oppressed or whatever your MIL tried to say about it, and if WE don't feel that way, then it isn't so IMO. Personally, I feel pretty worn out about the whole thing, but that doesn't mean I don't think many moms should do this. If you are able to and happy with it and your family is happy and your kid is happy, who cares what others think? Just my two cents worth...