There is a great divide between women in our culture now; between the working women and the functioning “house” wife. It would seem that young women have to choose between the two worlds. Many of us go to college and receive a “MRS” or Bachelor’s degree, then follow both of those potentially to a career. But it would seem we can’t have both, it is either one or the other in the world we end up living in, a mom if we get pregnant or a career woman. Our political system isn’t helping in the battle. The stereotypical liberals pick the side of protecting the “reproductive rights” of the woman and letting her decide what she wants to do with her body; whether that be a career or being a mom but she can decide. They say “yes” to abortion but don’t seem to seem to show the after effects of emotional and physical distress it can have on the woman. If they had the “best interests” at heart wouldn’t they find a better solution that doesn’t involve such a hard procedure mentally, emotionally and physically damaging to the woman and the baby? Although some stereotypical conservative say to have the baby but then don’t provide the support network needed in order to have long term care and help. How can they better help the needs of the woman to carry the child through pregnancy? The two sides then fight for the women’s vote in the coming elections with fervor, but are completely missing women. Has anyone asked us?
I will tell you what younger women want. For the most part, we women want a balance. We want to be seen as successful and competent and also open to loving our future or current children. We are nervous that if we have children that people might look down at us when they ask the looming question, “What do you do for work?”… “crap” we say on the inside… “housewife… but really! I do so much more than that!!,” we scream inside of our hearts. Just ask us, what are passions are, or what projects or assignments we are working on or the job that we currently hold part-time. We long to be a part of society just like men, pick up our bootstraps and work hard to contribute to society and the community. However, culturally we feel that if or when we do get pregnant that people will notice an instant show stopper.
We want a positive message from both sides, that maybe we don’t have to pick between being a house wife and career. We can pick both. We can be a good mom, a loving care giver of life and we can also be the woman that people pay to do their taxes, or to making them jackets for our sewing business. We can do this. We are women, we are made to thrive and work hard. Give us a chance to prove ourselves.
Proverbs 31, from the Bible, talks of a woman that goes out as a merchant bringing food, selling and buying fields that her merchandise is profitable and yet is there for her household. It has only been for the last hundred years or so that we even have a “stay-at-home” mom that is considered to only care for her children and housework. Before then women were actively involved in farm work, selling and buying merchandise from other farmers or trades men and crafty keeping the home together while their husbands worked in the fields or their trades. They were competent women whose work was hard and loving, teaching their children the same as they worked and did school at home or at the school house.
If we had support from both sides saying, “No matter what, even if you get pregnant you can do this; we will support your work and your motherhood.” That would change our minds maybe on seeing motherhood as a show starter and not a show stopper. It would be fun to be a mom and have our own business or work part time in yours.
As young women we just need to know that there is support out there if we ever do get pregnant. That being pregnant is a positive thing and not a negative one. We see some of the more serious implications of having a child, possible job loss, or a maternity leave where we are expected to come back. That sounds like we don’t know what we want, but in reality it might be nice if companies offered both choices. Being a parent changes everything. Many times parents might not know what they want until they have a child.
The bottom line is that our culture, in general, makes us feel that being pregnant is a negative thing. I think the real question is how we can transform minds and culture to make pregnancy for what is really is a positive thing.
By: Morgan Richert
I will tell you what younger women want. For the most part, we women want a balance. We want to be seen as successful and competent and also open to loving our future or current children. We are nervous that if we have children that people might look down at us when they ask the looming question, “What do you do for work?”… “crap” we say on the inside… “housewife… but really! I do so much more than that!!,” we scream inside of our hearts. Just ask us, what are passions are, or what projects or assignments we are working on or the job that we currently hold part-time. We long to be a part of society just like men, pick up our bootstraps and work hard to contribute to society and the community. However, culturally we feel that if or when we do get pregnant that people will notice an instant show stopper.
We want a positive message from both sides, that maybe we don’t have to pick between being a house wife and career. We can pick both. We can be a good mom, a loving care giver of life and we can also be the woman that people pay to do their taxes, or to making them jackets for our sewing business. We can do this. We are women, we are made to thrive and work hard. Give us a chance to prove ourselves.
Proverbs 31, from the Bible, talks of a woman that goes out as a merchant bringing food, selling and buying fields that her merchandise is profitable and yet is there for her household. It has only been for the last hundred years or so that we even have a “stay-at-home” mom that is considered to only care for her children and housework. Before then women were actively involved in farm work, selling and buying merchandise from other farmers or trades men and crafty keeping the home together while their husbands worked in the fields or their trades. They were competent women whose work was hard and loving, teaching their children the same as they worked and did school at home or at the school house.
If we had support from both sides saying, “No matter what, even if you get pregnant you can do this; we will support your work and your motherhood.” That would change our minds maybe on seeing motherhood as a show starter and not a show stopper. It would be fun to be a mom and have our own business or work part time in yours.
As young women we just need to know that there is support out there if we ever do get pregnant. That being pregnant is a positive thing and not a negative one. We see some of the more serious implications of having a child, possible job loss, or a maternity leave where we are expected to come back. That sounds like we don’t know what we want, but in reality it might be nice if companies offered both choices. Being a parent changes everything. Many times parents might not know what they want until they have a child.
The bottom line is that our culture, in general, makes us feel that being pregnant is a negative thing. I think the real question is how we can transform minds and culture to make pregnancy for what is really is a positive thing.
By: Morgan Richert