http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/us/politics/02mother.html?_r=2&oref=slogin
The "Mommy Wars" have made a return in the form of John McCain's Vice Presidential selection, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. Ms. Palin has a 17 year old daughter who is pregnant, as well as other children including her most recent family addition; a 4 month old infant with Down syndrome.
Much of the criticism seems to be aimed at the difficulty of trying to raise children, particularly an infant that needs special care, while being involved in a major campaign effort with Mr. McCain. Even having a supportive husband may still not be enough to persuade some citizens that she's balancing her priorities appropriately.
Do you think she's taking on too many responsibilities for one woman? Are you more impressed than concerned? Let us know in the comments!
Friday, September 05, 2008
Vice Presidential Candidate vs Motherhood
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17 comments:
Would this even be an discussion if she were not a woman?
I think we need to look at what she is accomplishing instead of being critical of what happens in her personal life. Life happens and this would happen regardless of who You are. We need to look at the facts: she is a woman so she will be criticized more. I say more Power to her!
The fact is newborns and infants prefer their mothers to their fathers.
Does that mean that they are sexist?
No, mothers have a link with their babies that is stronger than the link between babies and their fathers.
And so women do naturally make more sacrifices for their children and family than men.
It was not the media or the opposition that raised the issue of motherhood first. This motherhood argument comes up because Ms Palin is marketing herself as a pro-life Christian and as a mom.
If she sells herself as a mom then questions will be raised as to what kind of a mom she is.
Does pro-life mean abandoning your newborn with special needs to the rigors of a vp campaign 4 months after it is born?
Worse still, which responsible mother would put her pregnant teen through the humiliation of world-wide press exposure by accepting a nomination at such a time?
I think she is a selfish woman and an irresponsible mother.
I AGREE WITH THE PREVIOUS COMMENT. SHE MARKETS HERSELF AS A MOM, YET FEEDS HER DAUGHTER TO THE PRESS SHARKS AND IGNORES THE MOTHER-NEWBORN BOND. MOREOVER, A DOWN SYNDROME INFANT REQUIRES SPECIAL, CONSISTENT CARE. BEING DRAGGED AS A PROP AT NIGHT RALLIES AND CONVENTIONS IS CRUEL.
Downs babies have a tendency to be more susceptible to viruses and bacteria. It is thoughtless and perhaps neglectful for Palin to bring her 4 month old to the convention, surrounded in tight quarters by thousands of people. Exploiting her 17yo could be potentially psychologically harmful, but exploiting her newborn is physically harmful. How is it that she claims the mantel of the "family values" candidate? Because she is an evangelist? Why do people think that evangelists have a corner on family values?
I was really exited that there was another woman like Hilary out there, but I have to agree with the last two comments, this shows what her values really are, a new born baby needs constant attention (especially such a special case as this) I have a baby , and my husband helps out but that is no replacement for me in any way;
what conserns me is that her career seems to be tops for her irrespective of the consequence to her family, as they say actions speak louder than words.
I have to disagree with the negative comments, as we have no idea what goes on in the personal life of her family. I've heard she actually brings the kids to work with her and is an excellent mom. My initial reaction was similar to the negative comments though...thinking as a mother she she put her children first--maybe she does. Isn't it possible she considered not accepting the nomination for the sake of her pregnant daughter? Perhaps her daughter couldn't live with knowing she turned it down because of her and encouraged her to accept it? I have to say, she is a political figure I'd love to see in the White House. I hope she's able to prove everyone wrong by balancing such a rigorous and high-profile political career with continued bonding experiences with her family and close family relationships. I wouldn't/couldn't do it...but I hope she does!
Perhaps she co-sleeps, nurses and wears/carries her infant all the time. Who am I to claim she's not mothering her baby based on what we see for brief moments on TV? I think I've heard she does nurse (could be wrong though)...which I've also heard can be quite difficult for DS babies. More power to her!
Although I totally disagree with the politics she and the faction of the conservative right wing republican party she represents, I truly hope that the issue of what women must do--in this case-- choose between a career and caring for a family-- will not be the focus of the campaign. Women can and should be able to do what we are capable of and not what we are told we can do. This is the feminist message and it applies to all women, in my opinion.I pray people will evaluate her and her running mate on the all of the issues and vote for the democratic ticket. Gloria Steinemʻa article for the Los Angeles Times at
http://www.latimes. com/news/ opinion/commentary/la-oe-
steinem4-2008sep04, 0,7915118.story will tell, better than I can--some additional information on these issues.
Well, Palin is now MULTI-TASKING (as I would like to call it) a lot in her life. Being involved in the Presidential Campaign with McCain, being a mother to her children, soon-to-be Grandmother, Governor, etc., etc. I really give her credit. I mean, like most mothers who care deeply about their family and being involved in their children's every day lives, I'm juggling a lot with my family and their commitments as well as my career.
It only takes 1 person to judge another, but it would be very ignorant of someone to judge a Mother in her decisions, whether good or bad, and say that she doesn't care about her family or whatever. I mean give her a break. She's just trying to do what's best for her career, her family, and most importantly, herself. Isn't that what MOTHERS do?
I believe she is a great woman, a great mom and that she will be a great vice president.
I think all of those moms that are so concerned that she will not be able to handle being a mom and a vp need to look at the alternative.
For all of those caring moms, your man Obama believes in the womans right to kill her baby AFTER the baby is born. The baby could be a healthy little baby, but if there was a mistake be believes in the mothers right to murder her child. Don't believe me? Look it up!
Palin would do anything to advance herself politically. Yes, even abandon her newborn child and sell out her daughter to the world, not to mention try and force the boy that impregnated her daughter to marry her. How many married at 17 due to circumstances such as these have a successful loving marriage? come on, one bad decision after another. I hate to see what would happen if McCain kicked the bucket and she is in charge to make decisions for all of us.
Obama believes in reducing unwanted pregnancies, not killing babies after they are born. He is not going to force his views on others such as Palin & McCain. You still have the choice not to have an abortion. But if you were a victim of rape or incest, you at least have an option.
In view of the previous comment about Obama and baby killing, if you go on snoops.com you will find your allegations are less than accurate. It often helps to check a source before spreading rumors. In regard to Ms Palin and child rearing, I’ve taught in public schools for over 20 years, had 2 children (and did not go to work until I could go after they left for school and come home before they did), and have 2 grandchildren under the age of 2 years. Watching the families of the grandchildren schedule their work so that they do not leave their children for someone else to raise warms my heart. They know the value of home and hearth. The adoption of a special needs child is a tremendous responsibility for anyone, for someone with a 10 hour a day (at least) and a 6 day work week is ludicrous at best. What if something happens to McCain and she becomes president and the red phone rings, but the baby is also very ill, who will get the priority then?
Shame Shame Shame on most of you... Does her husband not count as a person? You are all for letting others chose their lifestyles unless their lifestyle isn't yours. A father can have just as close a bond with an infant as a mother. Study after study has proved it. Breasts don't make you bond with your child and neither does a uterus. She CHOSE to have a special needs baby, with the help of her husband who is more than willing to step in where needed.
How would you have her react when liberal websites were leaking rumors that Trig was actually the 17 year old daughters baby. People actually hacked into the hospital where he was born to find the records, so instead of having the world think that she was any less proud to have him she announced that yes her daughter was pregnant and that Trig was definately HER son. Also, someone said that she threw her daughter to the sharks?! Getting pregnant is a life changing reality no matter how old you are and even more so at 17, did you think that GOV. Palin and Senator McCain were going to deny or hide it? Would Mr. Obama rather she didn't run because she was a mother? His daughters are very young and as I understand it Michelle works too. Isn't she a lawyer making upwands of $400,000 a year? A Harvard graduate? Didn't I see her kids on the campaign trail too? Whoa! Go figure. Mom can do more than one thing if their family is willing to help them. That's what a family is... a mom and a dad that both love and take care of the kids. Go Sarah. Go Michelle.
I see that a lot of you are in denial. I am a wife and mother of 4children. I can't tell you how hard it is for my husband and I to give each of them individual attention, be involved in the PTA/PTO and school activities, and still include family time. In addition to that, we're just professionals. I couldn't even imagine how much more difficult it would be for us if I was running for VP.
Sarah needs to let McCain know that she's already doing enough as Governor and with small kids she needs to be available for them at all times. Being a VP will not allow for that and her kids will make her pay in the long run, e.g. 17 y/o already pregnant.
As to the comment above, we're all moms. That is why we are writing on this blog. As the the person above who used snopes as a source, you're a moron. I'm sorry you are teaching our kids. Why don't you look at Obama's voting record. To the moms criticizing Sarah Palin for being a mom and taking this job, she will be a great Vice President and continue to be a great mom. I'm sorry you continue to reflect on your situation to evaluate whether or not she would be a good VP.
In regards to throwing her kids to the sharks, you morons are the sharks. Your liberal friends have nothing on her so they are going to attack a kid for a bad decision. For the mother who said her boyfriend is just marrying her because he is forced to.
I'm sorry your sisters boyfriend left you pregnant and alone. There are good guys out there.
For all of you women who hate family values, stay home. Don't vote. Move to San Fran, save the planet and go to Starbucks and discuss how much life sucks.
Yep,
I made up my mind. I'm voting for Palin (and McCain). I have 4 kids and I don't know what YOUR husbands do, but MINE is more that capable of helping. It seems as though Palin's hubby is doing a great job. If you think that blaming the parents for a bad choice of a 17 year old made you are going to have a hell-of-a run for your money when your children are teenagers. Oh yeah there's always abortion...but hey we could donate the baby to be stem cell research so its okay. Sorry that's not my idea of saving the world. SOme of you are complete idiots.
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