I should be doing a million things right now like laundry, but I read an absolutely fascinating article today that has been at the forefront of my mind the entire day. I just had to blog about it.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1021293/How-mothers-fanatical-views-tore-apart.html
Please read the article first. I really can’t summarize it well and I think it is important to read.
I used to have pretty strong feminist leanings in high school and even through my college years. Time has change my perspective in many ways. Now I am wary of the label because I think that feminism happens to be one of the most destructive forces pounding away at motherhood. Please don’t bash me on this opinion. I think it is wonderful that women have more opportunity today. I think the wage gap is a problem. So there are some issues with which I agree, but others which are fundamentally problematic for me as a wife and mother.
I had never considered the issue of feminism and its leaders from the perspective of a child raised by a feminist leader. I have read Alice Walker’s book The Color Purple and consider it one of the most deeply troubling novels I have read. And believe me, I’ve read my share of troubling novels. I didn’t realize that Walker had such an aggressive stance against motherhood. What makes her stance truly appalling is that she was/is a mother and that she was so committed to her own idealogy that she turned her back on that child.
I’m not sure where I’m going with this post, so please comment. I may add to this a little bit later.
The first thing that comes to mind is a quote by (I think) David O. McKay “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”
I feel terribly for the high price that this woman paid for her mothers extremist views and lifestyle. Motherhood can be full of challenge and very taxing to the best of us but, this extreme feminist view, is positively destructive to the very fabric of any society, and only exacerbates any such challenge for present families and future.
I am like you I’m glad that women have more opportunities today than we ever have. I am guilty of getting caught up in the feminist thing, mainly because I dont like children. But one thing I dont like is when parents resent or are unkind to their children. I can’t imagine living a life where my mother hated me or wouldnt be a mom. I’m truely blessed to have grown up with the loving kind mother that I did. One thing I also realize is that mothers cant be selfish. I’m selfish. If I get married and have children I’m going to have to become unselfish because I would hate living with a mother that was. I have more respect for mothers than I ever have because they give up so much. They put themselves on hold, they raise children which I think probably beats every career in the hardness. I think so many women are like me, the reason they resent children or dont want to have them or work at a marriage is because they are afraid. Its easier to get a career and focus on yourself. Its harder to be a mother and stand for what is right..
I’m also troubled by Alice Walker. I have also read the color purple. I didnt realize she had a daughter or even was married. That information is never in anything about her. I have read plenty of her short stories and poems. Im appalled. I didnt know she was so completely against motherhood.