Being a woman is really hard: if you’re working, you’re instincts say you need to spend more time with your kids; if you’re taking care of your kids, you feel unfulfilled for not working. Then there’s the women who are married to men who expect them to keep their looks, figure, and the house attractive. If they can’t manage it and start looking less than perfect, they’ve “let themselves go” and can be replaced! And we’re expected not to crack up. The relatively small number of women’s prisons and asylums certainly shows we’re not the weaker sex.
Betty Friedan explained the phenomenon in the 1960s book “The Feminine Mystique”. Back then women were considered a lesser grade of human, not quite full-fledged members of the species.
It’s too bad that more than a generation of young people don’t know what it was like and how much things have improved … not perfect, but improved.
For GEE1A, a variation on that theme is the story Country Mouse and Town Mouse.
The rural mouse (who has a very simple life) is met by her town-dwelling cousin who tells her “why this monotony, come and experience the town, you won’t want to go back”. She accompanies him to “his” house in town the next day, and finds that there is truth in his statement of variety of things available. However, there are also lots of dangers.
Two days later, the rural mouse returns home back to her much simpler (and much safer) life.
the perfect way is when you have a small part time job where you still get enough time with the kids. when elizabeth is old enough to go to school eli could get a part time job.
It’s good she can spend these few years with her kids before they go to school. A lot of mothers wish they had that “luxury” from having to work but they don’t because the family needs the money. Elly has it better than she thinks.
ejcapulet over 15 years ago
Being a woman is really hard: if you’re working, you’re instincts say you need to spend more time with your kids; if you’re taking care of your kids, you feel unfulfilled for not working. Then there’s the women who are married to men who expect them to keep their looks, figure, and the house attractive. If they can’t manage it and start looking less than perfect, they’ve “let themselves go” and can be replaced! And we’re expected not to crack up. The relatively small number of women’s prisons and asylums certainly shows we’re not the weaker sex.
pschearer Premium Member over 15 years ago
Betty Friedan explained the phenomenon in the 1960s book “The Feminine Mystique”. Back then women were considered a lesser grade of human, not quite full-fledged members of the species.
It’s too bad that more than a generation of young people don’t know what it was like and how much things have improved … not perfect, but improved.
prasrinivara over 15 years ago
For GEE1A, a variation on that theme is the story Country Mouse and Town Mouse.
The rural mouse (who has a very simple life) is met by her town-dwelling cousin who tells her “why this monotony, come and experience the town, you won’t want to go back”. She accompanies him to “his” house in town the next day, and finds that there is truth in his statement of variety of things available. However, there are also lots of dangers.
Two days later, the rural mouse returns home back to her much simpler (and much safer) life.
lrpete Premium Member over 15 years ago
bleeep, bleeep bleeep. Never happy.
Silverpearl over 15 years ago
When kids get older, it is more fun and there is more time for you to do things you like.
ninmas over 15 years ago
the perfect way is when you have a small part time job where you still get enough time with the kids. when elizabeth is old enough to go to school eli could get a part time job.
alondra over 15 years ago
It’s good she can spend these few years with her kids before they go to school. A lot of mothers wish they had that “luxury” from having to work but they don’t because the family needs the money. Elly has it better than she thinks.
Wildmustang1262 over 15 years ago
Taking a lot of responsibilites is the hard to do with those kids. By the way, don’t pull your hair out of your head.