I do not like the narrative that a working mom is essential to the economy.
The Throne Speech promises a national childcare system with high standards that is accessible and affordable for all women. First, I do not believe any government can run a fiscally responsible business like that and it will be a gong show. Second, a mother will never look back on her life and think, “I spent too much time with my kids.”
What they are basically telling us is that it is not going to be affordable to stay home and raise kids and there is something better and more worthwhile you should be doing.
It is a reasonable choice for a family to have a parent stay home full-time protecting, supporting, and providing to her family. The government should support mothers that choose to work outside the home and mothers who do not. There are benefits to both.
Growing a child inside of us for 9 months and then giving birth is the most magical and divine experience a mother will ever have. It is uniquely ours. It is our finest hour. Why are we building an economic case for why mothers should work outside the home? Mothers should not be used as an economic plus for the government. As more and more expectations are put on us by society the less time and fewer choices mothers have.
The greatest responsibility we have as mothers is to raise our kids properly and provide homes that are safe, encouraging, and stable. If you are not supporting me for choosing to stay home to raise a family and I’m not supporting you for choosing to aspire to a fulfilling career and a family, then we have no business calling ourselves feminists.
The role of mother should not be negated or diminished by a society that places a title, a bank balance, or some tax dollars above raising children. Let us not forget what our first responsibilities are. We must continue to stand together and fight for our rights as mothers to make choices that suit us best and not let some bean counter decide for us. Am I the Only One?
