Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Deep thoughts from me

So, I admit that I'm on a few internet message boards (being a stay-at-home mom gets to be lonely sometimes...). I've done some reading, and it never occurred to me before I saw this topic, but it's something that makes me think. I've heard from some women that some groups of people, feminists in particular, feel like being a stay-at-home mom is the epitome of everything feminism is against. Really? How so? Wasn't the whole purpose of the feminist movement to give women a CHOICE? To let them have their own voice? The feminist movement(s) gave women a voice in things like the voting process, reproductive rights (I'm not a fan of abortion, and I would never do it, but who are we to tell women what to do with their bodies?), as well as equality between men and women in the work force and in more equal wage earnings (think the bra burners of the 60's). But, what I'm wondering is, how is becoming a stay-at-home mom against everything that feminism stands for? Most women who become stay-at-home moms do it by CHOICE. That choice that was given to us by the women who protested in the 1920's and 1960's. Before that, it pretty much was assumed that women would stay home with the kids, being the good little housewife (think June Cleaver in her pearls and heels~no wonder they were hopped up on Prozac). Now, women have the CHOICE to either work outside the home, which I have the highest respect for those who do, or to stay at home with the kids. Isn't that what feminism is all about? Allowing women to have a voice in what they want to do? Shouldn't women have the right to do WHATEVER they want to, without being put down over their choice?