Palin candidacy sparks new debate about motherhood
September 2nd, 2008From the New York Times:
Mothers around the country are voicing …
the kind of doubts that few male pundits have dared raise on television. With five children, including an infant with Down syndrome and, as the country learned Monday, a pregnant 17-year-old, Ms. Palin has set off a fierce argument among women about whether there are enough hours in the day for her to take on the vice presidency, and whether she is right to try.
It’s the Mommy Wars: Special Campaign Edition. But this time the battle lines are drawn inside out, with social conservatives, usually staunch advocates for stay-at-home motherhood, mostly defending her, while some others, including plenty of working mothers, worry that she is taking on too much.
Readers, how about it? What’s your experience? Would these questions be asked if Palin were a man? How about if she didn’t have a child with a disability?
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September 2nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I don’t recall the residents of Alaska demanding Palin’s resignation as Governor after her child with Down syndrome was born. Why not? Because that would have been seen for what it is, discrimination! Assuming she can’t do the job and tend to her children’s needs is sexist and discriminatory. Assuming her husband is incapable of being the primary caregiver for their five children is also sexist. Will the family need to priortize and find a work/life balance, of course. Look at her track record so far. Palin and her family seem to be comfortable with mom working and rearing children. If she is elected to the Vice Presidency, her son Trig will have access to the best of all worlds in health care, early intervention services and community acceptance. His quality of life will likely be higher should his mother become the VP.
September 2nd, 2008 at 11:38 am
“America First” or “Family First” Which will it be?
Governor Palin may be able to take her baby to work with her and nurse during a meeting as Governor of Alaska — a state with a population of 626,000 people. It is a different story being the VP of the United States. No CEO in any corporation would do such a thing. I think a woman with children is certainly capable of being the VP or president of the US, but I do question the judgment and “family first” priority of a new mother with a newborn having special needs.
When it comes down to it, where will her allegiance be? With the MILLIONS of people relying upon her to lead the country, or with her children, whether they be pregnant, sick or whatever the issue? Will she be in the Middle East brokering a peace deal and suddenly have to fly home to attend to the health care needs of her infant son? She would be a cruel, heartless mother if she did no less, but she will be an ineffective, laughable joke of a world leader if she places her family priorities ahead of her country.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Leaving an infant three days after giving birth to go to your job is not the kind of standard to which any woman should be held. In fact, it should have raised few red flags in McCain’s head or does he also buy into the fantasy “superwoman” “supermom” syndrome?
When we leave our infant children to go to our jobs even a week after they’re born or we ignore that our daughters are sexually active, are we really making any progress as a society? What good is breaking through any glass ceiling if it’s done at the ezpense or neglect of another human being?
September 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 am
Unbelievable. Certainly no one ever asks this of any man because they presume the children’s mother will handle them. This not only presumes that she is incapable, but insults her husband as well — presuming that he does not have a role and that they couldn’t possibly come up with a viable plan.
People’s comments about Trig’s needs come from a presumptions about Down syndrome and disability which are not necessarily accurate.
I do not believe that motherhood or having a child with a disability QUALIFIES anyone for office, and it certainly does NOT disqualify them!