Politics Aside: Discussing Issues as American Citizens, Not as Liberals and Conservatives

Ah, the stay-at-home mom: so quaint, so resourceful, so happy, so...archaic, illogical, impossible? When it comes to raising a family, no issue seems to spark more controversy than the role of the mother. Talk shows and magazines love to debate whether or not moms need to stay home with their children. Stay-at-homes (SAH's) constantly feel pressured by society to join the twenty-first century. After all, nobody can afford to stay at home any more, right? Women are no longer chained to the kitchen, an entire movement took care of that, didn't it? Yet working moms face the same scrutiny. Complaining of being seen as "bad mothers," many wonder if a personal career is selfish after childbirth. Day care is scorned by many as a neglectful, impersonal means by which to raise a child. It appears that women who want children just can't win.

Sadly, politics has done much to polarize the two camps into feeling nothing but mutual hostility for one another. Ever since the Women's Lib movement became associated with radical, liberal politics, women wishing to hold onto their careers felt the need to fling similar political mud at the SAH crowd. Moms at home became right-wing conservative lunatics completely out of touch with economic and social changes. Nevertheless, if the two sides simply exchanged the political rants for quiet dialogue, many mothers would realize that they still share many fears, hopes, and questions about their parenting choice. Join me in an attempt to examine this issue honestly. The conclusions may surprise you.