Posted on 06/18/2006 11:03:54 AM PDT by Heatseeker
When I set out to write a book about how the first generation of women to grow up with feminism managed their marriages, I never dreamed I'd wind up the subject of a Web article called "Everybody Hates Linda."
Everybody started hating Linda, apparently, when I published an article in the progressive magazine the American Prospect last December, saying that women who quit their jobs to stay home with their children were making a mistake. Worse, I said that the tasks of housekeeping and child rearing were not worthy of the full time and talents of intelligent and educated human beings. They do not require a great intellect, they are not honored and they do not involve risks and the rewards that risk brings. Oh, and by the way, where were the dads when all this household labor was being distributed? Maybe the thickest glass ceiling, I wrote, is at home.
Okay, I'm judgmental. That's what CBS's Lesley Stahl called me on "60 Minutes." But I'm a philosopher, and it's a philosopher's job to tell people how they should lead their lives.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
This article is not worthy of being read. I just cannot force myself.
I'm not going to waste my time reading it. It isn't worthy of the full time and talents of intelligent and educated human beings.
I hope this woman is childless. I know she is clueless.
Happy Father's Day to the REAL men who love their wife and their children and raise their boys to be great dads like themselves.
Jen
Generally when people self-label their positions and personas it is because they are uncomfortable with their perceived notion of what others think of them; here, we have a woman who is being provocative for its own sake and who is using a willing press to celebrate her contrariness.
If abortion wasn't a one-way street, we might find ourselves witness to mass matricide.
She is as ignorant as she is arrogant, and her arrogance is breathtaking.
Behold the face of the modern Democratic Party.
"I guess working women are too busy at work to blog about their lives and are already on their way to their jobs when "Good Morning America" puts me on at 8 a.m. Maybe a little scared? They're doing what beleaguered, overworked people do."
In other words, she admits that working women are too busy, too beleaguered and overworked, to do anything creative like blogging. And this is supposed to be in some way desirable and commendable.
Really?
philosopher phi·los·o·pher (plural phi·los·o·phers) noun Definition: 1. somebody who studies philosophy: somebody who seeks to understand and explain the principles of existence and reality 2. somebody holding particular beliefs: somebody who believes in a particular philosophy and thinks and acts accordingly 3. thinking person: a thinker who deeply and seriously considers human affairs and life in general 4. calm and rational person: somebody who calmly and rationally reacts to events, especially adversity
Photo of the author here. Not for viewers with weak stomachs...
http://images.google.com/images?q=Linda+R.+Hirshman&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images
In other words, what my Mom called "a busybody and a know-it-all."
Any woman who runs a household and cares for a family full time has a large, and important job.
I have never believed otherwise.
And I'll add a snarky comment, too-- my wife, symphony musician, professional woman in her own right, went to college with a lot of philosophy majors-- her opinion of them?
"They sit around and think up a pile of bulls!t, mostly..."
Hmm... I'm a philosopher too. MY job (only when asked) is to help people resolve the internal contradictions of their beliefs which lead them to be unhappy.
I don't think I've ever told "people how to live their lives."
For liberals, raising children is a demeaning, insulting, and talentless task -- unless you're being paid with someone's tax money to do it. Then you're given a title, nothing you say can ever be questioned, and a week is set aside to honor you, a la Educator's Week, Child Care Worker's Week, etc.
Well, isn't she a persecuted little Miss Know-It-All.
Sounds like she needs to ask for your help!
Not worthy of a read, nor a blog.
It's unbelievable that this person doesn't really get the idea of personal choice. That would be the 'choice' to raise the children that one 'chooses' to bring into the world in a balanced, wholesome, loving, enriched, environment. One could always 'choose' not to do this. But once the 'choice' is made to bring forth children, In my opinion, priorities must and should change. (That is, as opposed to putting the 'chilrens' in communal nursery as soon one can get back to work to do the really important stuff in the world...NOT!)
Further, why is working a full time gig as an "A" type superior to devoting life energy to family logistics? And I also would question why it is she feels the men in all this are not right in there sharing the load at home as well as trying to bring home the bacon. The proper care and feeding of a family, as most of you probably already know, is not a trivial pursuit. It requires sensitive intelligence applied on an ongoing basis with energy and devotion.
My lawyer DIL is maintaining a home, seems happy to be the female parent of two fine intelligent young men who have a rich nurturing environment and who does her lawyering on the side....seems to work for her and my proud, happily married son. There is nothing being forced on any one here. Intelligent, informed 'choices' are being made.
...Specifically, I did not know that you can say almost anything about how great it is for a woman to give up her job; standing up for staying at work is the big taboo.
No wonder "philosophers" get paid so little--they can't keep their b****hit story straight.
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