Catching up on my reading (and blogging) I ran across an article that talks about a woman’s choice to work. The opinion blog by Judith Warner titled “Domestic Disturbances” dispels the ‘choice myth‘. Her ability to succinctly put into words that which most women have trouble articulating is commendable. Priorities are not only a moral dilemma, but a financial one. The ideal mix of working and family time is different for everyone, but providing the best for our families is no longer the pure burden of one spouse.
The Working Mother Experience book drew upon many people’s experiences from many locations, religions, and corporate levels. Most of the authors did not get to read any stories except for their own until after publication earlier this year. Yet, the themes of boundaries, sacrifice, and wanting a better life for our children are ubiquitous. All of the stories in this book are from EMC employees, but since the book was published we have been exposed to the reaction and comments of outside consumers and the same holds true.
We all strive to strike the right balance. We hope we are creating harmonious households while following our own personal cocktail of choices. The Mommy Wars (stay at home moms vs working moms) are fueled by inherently imperfect people, making imperfect choices, in an imperfect world desperate to validate their own decisions or beliefs as the right ones.
The article ends with the statement “When mothers can choose, they choose self-empowerment. Because they know that there is no true difference between their advancement and the advancement of their children. Why do we so enduringly deny them the dignity of choice?” …Amen
**updating to add link to Downtown Women’s Club. Apparently this post moved Diane K Danielson as much as it moved me. Her post on the subject is fantastic and worth a read.
