To the Readers' Forum:
Why unpopular woman?
Unpopular? You bet. As your average woman in the United States, as an average mother and an average wife I have an answer to the question of my unpopularity with another question.
What if, just imagine, women in America stayed home? Ahh, an unpopular question. What if they took a stand, when possible, and said it will be better for my community, for my family, and for my life if I step out of work, and step into home.
Bear with me.
If families were willing to downsize their homes and own only one car? Not shop for fun but out of necessity? If families would stop paying for daycare and watch their own children? If families were willing to prioritize, really prioritize. Not so that they could get more, but so that the benefit would be felt by the country as a whole and last for generations to come.
If women chose to downsize what we so grossly exaggerate as need and stayed home, it would cure our unemployment crisis. If unemployment were no longer an issue, imagine what would happen to the divorce rate since unemployment is a key factor in many divorces.
If the divorce rate drastically decreased, imagine what would happen to teenage suicide, drug abuse and alcohol dependancy since divorce is a key factor in the choices our children make. Just imagine the possibilities if women stayed home.
How do I know? I know because I am a woman, and I stay home. I have worked full time, and my children paid the price. A price I don't think they should have to pay since they are not given the choice. Life is better when mom is home. It is just that simple.
I know there will always be an exception to the rule, but I can't help but imagine if this was the rule. The possibilities are endless. Women need to stop looking for power in all the wrong places. The power is in staying put and raising the next generation. We all know a production cannot go on without the people behind the scenes. When did we buy into this belief that we have to work to have worth?
I choose not to believe that. I am worth a lot. I am worth almost everything to the people that love me. Because I know that, I have power. Security enough to work behind the scenes and pride enough to know that I can never do it all, but I can do more, if I am here.
Dawn Swanson
Kennedy