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tbarryfigu's picture

Caregivers?

I'm sorry, maybe I'm interpreting this the wrong way, but I'm finding it hard to swallow this comment, especially considering the context of this class and of this argument: 

"Another thing to consider is that women are the caregivers of society. They work to care for the elderly, the sick and the young. There is a huge impact on how much we could ask of women who are doing so much to hold together their families and communities"

Can you explain that a little better? Because what you seem to be saying is that some women are too busy filling the roles that the patriarchy assigned them to do anything else about the current femenist movement. While, yes, this is true in alot of cases, I really feel uncomfortable using that as an excuse. Especially because it is using a patriarchical premise as reasoning for the lack of extremist feminist action. It has a very "Momma's too busy cooking and cleaning" feel to it, and that almost sickens me. Plus, it is a very generalized statement. Yes, women are often viewed as the "nurturers," no, that is not a bad thing, but in many ways, it is incorrect. Today's woman is not always flattered by the expectation of "housewivery," nor are they charmed by the thought that that role is still assigned to them and only them. Today's woman still notices the difference on their paycheck. Today's woman may not want kids, may not have the means to have kids, may not give a damn about being nurturing. All this, I'm sure you know. Which is why i'm surprised such a statement was made. Can you tell me about the women who aren't at home taking care of the family and the community? What are they doing? How can you explain their apathy?

 And wait, let's discuss those who are nurturing society. Finland and a few other countries in Europe have implemented gender-blind governmental standards that provide a sallary to those women who choose to be the nurturers. If a woman decides that she wants to be a professional mother, the government pays her for doing so. And, if she, instead, would like to continue her job as a professional lawyer, doctor, librarian, what have you...the government pays 100% of child care so that she might continue to lead her life as a person. One with equal opportunities. If I am to understand your argument, then the nurturer of the US is too blinded by the constructs of our predominately male-dominated society to even realize that such things are possible. Is she too busy to fight for the justification of her role as a nurturer? Because as far as I can tell, that's who feminists are fighting for right now anyway...shouldn't the nurturer fight for herself? 

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