I deal from the other side of the issue, I'm one of the dying segment of
mothers who has been at home since my first was born 24 years ago. Yes I
have been employed at times during the past 24 years (I'm the Queen of
temporary jobs - usually 6 months or less) and I've even gone back to
college but I have to admit never while I had a nursing child.
It is a choice I have made, financially it has put us into poverty more
times than I like to remember and we are currently supporting two
complete households on one income. Surprizingly, it is my oldest child
who may be providing us with a solution (no, he isn't going to pay our
bills!) and it will be one I can do from home.
It can be done, but it is a choice on our part. What I resent is the
number of women who tell me point blank that they don't have the
'luxury' of staying home. Believe me, it is not a luxury, it has been
hard work, emotional work and taken a lot of creativity on our part to
make it work.
One of the best articles on the topic was Lies Parents Tell Themselves
About Why They Work (U.S. News & World Report, May 12, 1997) with lie #1
being we both work because we need the money.
Also I mention to moms that Sweden has a high bf initiation rate and an
equally high maternal employment rate. The difference between Sweden and
the US is that the mothers themselves fought for the necessary benefits
and regulations to make bf, mothering and employment all go together
(maternity leaves, bf friendly work sites and child care options). 12
weeks maternity leave is the lowest in most industrialized countries and
the US is the only country where it is unpaid. Until we as a society
realize that our children deserve the best we can provide for them -
breastfeeding, extended maternity leave, quality child care, quality and
accessible medical care, quality education (more uniform than it is
currently), parenting education before people become parents (or worse
not until neglect or abuse occurs). We will continue to see the problems
we are seeing with our children, the cavalier attitude toward
breastfeeding and this attitude of "I can't stay home."
all of the above is just my .02 worth.
Leslie Ward
Vine Grove, KY
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