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The Value and Impact of Stay-at-Home Moms
Last evening I was on the Al Mohler Radio Program with the topic of Stay-at-Home Moms. Some of you may have seen Linda Hirshman who appeared on ABC Good Morning America on this same topic. Unfortunately, she was coming from the other side of the issue. Hirshman believes that feminism has failed, in that it has not resulted in its real goal to empower women to attain the "elite" jobs that they had hoped. She says the reason for this is the rise in women who stay at home to raise their children.
Mohler quoted Hirshman with this quote that speaks volumes about her position:
"I think it's a mistake for these highly educated and capable women to make that choice [to stay home]," said law professor and working mom Linda Hirshman. "I am saying an educated, competent adult's place is in the office."
Many of the callers to Mohler's program made great points about the satisfaction that women are finding when they raise their children and provide for their husbands and children in that way. Mohler himself stated anecdotally that many of the women he knows in his community, church and on his travels are extremely satisfied as they fulfill their role to raise their children and provide for their husbands.
Eventually, I weighed in on the issue with perhaps a different ideological and cultural slant then had been presented. You can listen to the excerpt of my call or the whole program.
The point that I made was in response to Hirshman's belief that stay-at-home moms are a threat to civilization. Hirshman is correct if she is referring to her own civilization. Her civilization is one of radical feminism and anti-choice. She would like to dictate where women should be and what they should be doing.
I continued on and talked about the desire of many young men like myself to find a young lady who places the family above all else. One who sees nothing more important than raise sons and daughters in the admonition of the Lord.
As the segment closed, I reflected on my own experience with my stay at home mom and the attention she was able to give me as she was at home with me from the day I was born. Thanks Mom! I would not be who I am today without the influence, care, direction and love that my mom gave me.
To all the moms out there who are struggling with priorities and life's constant tug, know this, there is nothing more important than raising children to know Jesus and fulfill His calling and mission in their own lives. When the cares of life come pulling, lean in the direction of your husband and children. You will never regret it.
On a side note, isn't it funny that we call them stay-at-home moms when they do anything but "stay at home"?
UPDATE: The folks over at World Magazine blog have been weighing in.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Dr. Mohler has posted his extended commentary on Hirshman and the critique of her brand of radical feminism.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Adrian Warnock weighs in with a bit of a British perspective... well, maybe only because he uses mum instead of mom.
ANOTHER UPDATE: Maggie Gallagher at National Review Online has compiled some statistics in a true/false quiz and lists the following:
6. True or False: The vast majority of today's mothers don't want a full-time career.
True. In a 2005 nationally-representative survey of 2000 mothers, just 16 percent prefer a full-time job.
