SARAH PALIN II: IS ANYBODY ELSE READY TO THROW UP THAT WE'RE DOING ALL THIS MOMMY TALKING?

I worked at the TODAY SHOW from 1980 to 1989.  During that time I probably produced, conservatively, two pieces a month on "working mothers", as we were called then.  It was rough slogging.  No matter how many times we looked at it (always from both sides) it just wouldn't die.  Of course early in that same period we had trouble getting cameramen who would shoot a story including an AIDS victim, so there were tougher issues for sure.

In any case, in that period we talked to T. Berry Brazelton (often), Lois Hoffman, Ellen Galinsky, Dr. Edward Zigler, Phyllis Schlafly, Sylvia Hewlett, activists from Catalyst, NOW, Eagle Forum, David Elkind, Letty Cottin Pogrebin and literally hundreds of others.  We debated every aspect of child development, nature/nurture - you name it, we covered it.  By the time I left at the end of 1989 the issue had mostly been settled - by demographics if nothing else.  Mothers were working.  Many needed to be.  More were on their own, abandoned by or never having had a partner in raising their kids.  What was left of the battle was scraps, remnants and [very important] policy issues dealing with childcare, equal pay and family leave etc.  Working moms were an American reality.

That was twenty years ago!  Twenty years!  And now, artificially or not, the issue has emerged again.  And many of those allegedly "defending" working moms (or at least one named Sarah) are those who, for much of my working mother life, so vehemently opposed the idea of women going out of the home to work.  Sorry.  I know the conversation has passed this issue in many ways but as I read posts and newsletters today, it made me mad all over again.  With all these conservatives defending working mothers, after what I remember, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  They're all working now too so some of it is probably genuine but there's also such an element of strategic hollering.  Anyone else feel like they fell down the rabbit hole?

Comments

[Tracee Sioux]

I live down the rabbit hole with religious conservatives as my friends and family and it was NOT 20 years ago for them or their pressure on me. Their judgement of working mothers has battled with my professional calling and ambition for the entire 7 years of my motherhood experience and it's taken a toll on an otherwise unmarred motherhood experience.

Thank God for Sarah Palin - all my religious conservatives support her ability to do both and so I'm claiming that same support for ME. More on that here: http://www.blogfabulous.com/thank-god-for-sarah-palin/

[Kay Dennison]

I was a stay at home Mom most of my adult life. I did so because my husband and I thought it best for our children.

I allowed others to make their own decisions regarding that issue as I think all people have the right to choose their lifestyle -- even Sarah.

However, I question her allowing the Republicans to parade her daughter around like some sort of trophy? Aren't these the same people who rant about unwed mothers in the welfare system? The word "hypocrite" comes to my mind and I heard it used by two ministers who I respect and who work in the same office as I do.

[Cindy La Ferle]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who resents how the GOP keeps reversing its position on working mothers, and is trying to manipulate women with this Sarah Palin stunt. What worries me is that some conservative voters are easily fooled. If you haven't had a chance yet, read Anna Quindlen's Newsweek essay on this topic.

[Florinda]

I've been doing the working-mom thing for over twenty years myself - and yes, at times it floors me too that we're STILL having the same conversations. It's like it got to a certain point, and then got stuck in neutral - only there's nothing "neutral" about it, to most people.

No, you're not the only one who feels like she's fallen down the rabbit hole - well said!

[Sharon]

The truest form of irony. I was a SAHM in the 80's because I believed my children needed a consistent presence at home and my husband often worked out of town. Some of my friends held jobs outside the home, and we all faced the same issues with our families and how to be the best parents we could be. We respected each other's choices and felt that women needed to decide for themselves how to best manage their lives. I remember well the fierce wrath of the conservatives as they preached that women should stay home with their children. I didn't agree with them then, and I don't agree with them now as they flip-flop because it suits their political aspirations. The right-wing conservatives have conveniently forgotten decades-old ideology to come to the defense of a woman who isn't qualified for the job she has left her family to campaign for. I can't wait to see them scurry to regroup when she loses.

[Cynthia Samuels]

Maggie how interesting to have the Canadian perspective. Some of my most beloved blogger buds live there and I'll bet some were even involved in the campaign. Men wonder why women stick together -- this is a great answer!

[Maggie Kerr-Southin]

Ah yes, always such a pleasure to look at history and realize the advances...or not. I edited a women's magazine in the late-80s and early 90s where the fuss over working mothers continued.

In Canada we're having other female candidate issues as we lead up to a federal election on October 14th.

While I'm happy that we have one female party leader, I'm stunned that the three male party leaders were barring her from leaders' debates.

After much public lobbying and outcry - mostly using social media, BTW - she is now allowed in the debates. (See my blog post of yesterday.)

So like you, I'm asking why we are still having these discussions.

[Cynthia Samuels]

Well put, Jen.

[Jen]

It's interesting, the way things have unintended consequences. The conservatives who are slavering all over Sarah Palin have to at least start talking the talk about women's rights, and maybe some of it will stick. But then, if McCain loses, they'll blame the woman.

Still, I hope hope hope he loses.