Warning - This is a rant post.
Scenario 1:
A young woman decides to take a year or two off from work to go exploring the world, learn about another culture, try her hands at something different/exciting. Nobody questions it, work colleagues wish her well and are excited for her. Two years later when this young explorer returns to the marketplace, she is welcomed with open arms, set up for promotions and salary increments, and generally considered an asset to the organisation.
Scenario 2:
A young woman decides to take a year or two off from work to look after her young family, be there for her little ones, and not miss out on her children's early years. People question her - how does she feel about giving up her career? There is no sense of excitement, its more like the end of a promising work life. Two years later when this young mum wants to return to the marketplace, she is asked to justify her actions, her skills are tested again (lest her brain have dissolved into babyfood), and is made to start from scratch and work her way up.
While these are both hypothetical cases, do they not sound uncannily true?
How is it possible that we place the tiniest of tiny value on motherhood? Anything, any work is considered better, more worthwhile than being a mother. There is only one thing worse than being a mother - being a mother who wants to spend time with her children, who wants to raise her children herself and watch them grow. The market out there does NOT support parents, definitely not mums who take motherhood seriously. No wonder children are going through crises after crises. We just don't value parenting as a society.
Have you ever noticed, how on the trains, if there is a person on board with a dog, the dog and the owner get looks of adoration from fellow passengers. Not so for a parent. If there is a child on the train, everyone avoids proximity to the child and the parent/carer. Worse still, if the child is crying - you've had it. If looks could slaughter, you would be mince, were you to have a crying child with you on the train.
Something is very wrong with society, with the way people think. Surely, children, being our own future, should be valued and cherished? Surely, raising our children is an adventure that society and the workplace must look up to? Surely mothers wanting to return to the workforce should be welcomed with enthusiasm and fervour?
This world makes very little sense to me. I am going back to my yarn and crochet hook. At least there is order and a sensible function of cause and effect there.
Scenario 1:
A young woman decides to take a year or two off from work to go exploring the world, learn about another culture, try her hands at something different/exciting. Nobody questions it, work colleagues wish her well and are excited for her. Two years later when this young explorer returns to the marketplace, she is welcomed with open arms, set up for promotions and salary increments, and generally considered an asset to the organisation.
Scenario 2:
A young woman decides to take a year or two off from work to look after her young family, be there for her little ones, and not miss out on her children's early years. People question her - how does she feel about giving up her career? There is no sense of excitement, its more like the end of a promising work life. Two years later when this young mum wants to return to the marketplace, she is asked to justify her actions, her skills are tested again (lest her brain have dissolved into babyfood), and is made to start from scratch and work her way up.
While these are both hypothetical cases, do they not sound uncannily true?
How is it possible that we place the tiniest of tiny value on motherhood? Anything, any work is considered better, more worthwhile than being a mother. There is only one thing worse than being a mother - being a mother who wants to spend time with her children, who wants to raise her children herself and watch them grow. The market out there does NOT support parents, definitely not mums who take motherhood seriously. No wonder children are going through crises after crises. We just don't value parenting as a society.
Have you ever noticed, how on the trains, if there is a person on board with a dog, the dog and the owner get looks of adoration from fellow passengers. Not so for a parent. If there is a child on the train, everyone avoids proximity to the child and the parent/carer. Worse still, if the child is crying - you've had it. If looks could slaughter, you would be mince, were you to have a crying child with you on the train.
Something is very wrong with society, with the way people think. Surely, children, being our own future, should be valued and cherished? Surely, raising our children is an adventure that society and the workplace must look up to? Surely mothers wanting to return to the workforce should be welcomed with enthusiasm and fervour?
This world makes very little sense to me. I am going back to my yarn and crochet hook. At least there is order and a sensible function of cause and effect there.
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