That article again

First, I want to say that I appreciate all the things people have said to me about being a stay at home mom. I know this is the right decisions for me and it does me good to hear others hold me up. But, that was not really my intention when I put this out there. I am honestly wondering about what feminism looks like and if I (as a mommy) am affecting it in any way. After all, I have 2 girls and I want the world to treat them with fairness and respect.

So, today I decided to spend some time thinking and reading more about Linda Hirshman and her stand point on feminism and motherhood. Apparently, she is being raked through the coals about that American Prospect article (the one linked to the last post on this subject).

She does not like who is doing it either. Apparently, bloggers are not critiquing her in a way she feels she should be. She thinks that what people are saying (ie "you make me want to through up" and the like) is not done in a intellectual manner and if they really had intelligent responses they would write letters to the editor. To some degree, I agree that the responses are not helpful or constructive in many ways, but they are gut reactions by people who feel they are being attacked. And most of these people do not have the opportunity to have article published in a major newspaper.

Although, I am exactly the kind of person she is talking about. I am one of those mommies who has blogging time set aside in a day. She implies in her article that it is not a meaningful activity and that if I was working I would not have time for such foolishness. Hard working people do not have time to read much less write in a blog. Well, I do not know anyone more hard working than my husband, and he read many blogs. During the last State of the Union address, bloggers on political issues were used to do rebuttals on some stations. But maybe it is because I am a full time mommy, my opinion is not worth anything. Which is really contrary to what she is trying to say in the end, to me anyway.

Linked to this post is her response published in the Washington Post Op-Ed section. Amazingly enough, she comes off really defensive for a while. I know how that feels. That is the first feeling I had while listening and reading her works. But once it gets down to the essence of what she and "mommies" (her term) were upset about is that no one wants to be attacked and everyone wants to be understood.

I, also, want to point out that she is REALLY upset about the lack of women in "elite" positions in business. I agree, women who can do that job as well as men should be in those positions. I know there are women out there who can. Actually, I am related to one. My sister is already a partner in a law firm (at 30 by the way). But not every woman can do those jobs. I am one of those women, I would be no good at being a CEO of a Fortune 500 business. So, understanding your strengths and abilities is also very important. I think she misses this point.

I agree with her on one big thing. It has brought a topic into popular culture that seems to warrant a lot of discussion. I have had some great talks with the women AND men in my life. Good discussions that would not have taken place had it not been for her. Do I think that we have found the answer to the questions. No. But at least we are talking about them. And with communication can come understanding and change.

Anyway, enough ranting for today. I want to hear your thoughts.

Linda