11.1.12 Adam on "Hold On" Demo, 108Q Interview+++

ninaballerina

I am not a housewife and I do not think Sauli is considered a housewife. However, I am now tempted to step onto my soap box and demand due and proper respect for all those, since the beginning of time : ), who have ever been refered to as "housewife."

It is the "housewife" who has traditionally been the nutritional chemist that builds the brains of the children and helps maintain the brain and health of the "professional" mate. It is the "housewife" who has traditionally been the one to create the interior environment that feeds curiosity and desire to learn. It is the housewife who makes sure the family is "cloaked in scarlet threads." It is the "housewife" that maintains and curates the interior environment, for the security, education, health, of the significant other/family. It is the "housewife" who has traditionally tended the veggie and flower garden, picked the tomatoes, and beautified the surrounds. Sorry to say McDonalds and Chick Filet just ain't the same. And soooo much more.

Anyone who looks at the "housewife" role as lesser is perpetuating a huge injustice in our society. The housewife role gets lesser public glory but without the "housewife" many professional people would simply not survive, at all. Any professional person who has a "housewife" at home is damn lucky and that professional person who does not give the "housewife" person huge credit for what they do is an idiot. As a feminist I believe we all must be able to choose the role we want. However, I also believe we need to respect what has been the traditional female role JUST as much as we respect the professional role outside the home and that that lack of respect has been a HUUUGE part of the problem. I actually think that the "housewife" should be paid an automatic salary out of the "professional person's salary for his/her role of keeper of the home, for being the chemist, the cook, the nanny, whatever it may be, it should be dignified as the actual job it is, and that is another part of the problem.

*steps quietly off soapbox*

Not sure what has gotten into me today except maybe that I could have lost my house in the storm...I'm also in training for a marathon and I'm procrastinating running today. Going, going, gone.

I agree with you, having myself a professional career, but also already a lot of life experience.

But..forgive me a short cultural note:

In Finland, we don't really have anymore a concept of a housewife existing. Mothers of small children might stay at home for some time, and in some degree, these days, also husbands.

But (and I am sorry for speaking also for my countrymen and-women, feel free to disagree), we don't really understand somebody who would stay at home after those early years of children (normally by 3, sometimes until school age). Most women go back to full time work after parental holiday ends when child is 10 months old.

We have very high quality day care available for all (it mandatory by law to offer one to whom ever wants it. Teachers have university degree). At school youngest children have day care until parents come from work. After that children are expected to take care of themselves at home. Inde*&@^# is highly appreciated.

And thoughout the whole school, warm dinner is served free to all. So it is also really possible to have a full time job for both parents.

Well, sorry, not so short...