As I sat today writing this post I was thinking of how lucky I am as a mother. After reading parts of, Of Women Born, by Adrienne Rich, and Ann Crittenden’s, The Price of Motherhood, some of the struggles of motherhood and the role of societies’ expectations were "truly" thought out more clearly by me. .I looked into how mothers have to deal with sexism, racism, and a general lack of respect, and societies lack of monetary reimbursement for mothers work at home. Although I feel it is difficult to put a monetary value on the mothering "House Wife", society should follow the lead of countries like Sweden and give a "value" to these hard working women.
As I was reading an e-mail this week about a "Factory Rape" in Jordan (http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-walmart-to-stop-rape-and-torture-of-young-women-in-its-factories?). I was saddened and thought of how the author, Rich had discussed horrible conditions for women in factories throughout history. Rich documents some of the harsh conditions for factory women working long hours in the 1800s. She referenced that in 1844 “A British factory inspector could report that ‘a vast majority of the persons employed at night and for long periods during the day are females; their labour is cheaper and they are more easily induced to undergo severe bodily fatigue than men” (page 48, Rich).Phrases like, “Easily induced” demonstrates that women are sometimes characterized as “weak” or having few choices when in fact working,” for long periods” shows that they are physically strong. The article about the women in Jordan was saying that the co-working men were removed from their posts, so they could not protect their female co-workers from mistreatment!!! Over the years and still to this day it is almost shocking what women will go through to provide for their family. Another example by Rich in the 1800s, discusses how the mothers sometimes gave their unweaned babies “watery gruel” instead of breast milk . I can not even imagine to not be able to met my children's basic needs !:(
As I was reading an e-mail this week about a "Factory Rape" in Jordan (http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-walmart-to-stop-rape-and-torture-of-young-women-in-its-factories?). I was saddened and thought of how the author, Rich had discussed horrible conditions for women in factories throughout history. Rich documents some of the harsh conditions for factory women working long hours in the 1800s. She referenced that in 1844 “A British factory inspector could report that ‘a vast majority of the persons employed at night and for long periods during the day are females; their labour is cheaper and they are more easily induced to undergo severe bodily fatigue than men” (page 48, Rich).Phrases like, “Easily induced” demonstrates that women are sometimes characterized as “weak” or having few choices when in fact working,” for long periods” shows that they are physically strong. The article about the women in Jordan was saying that the co-working men were removed from their posts, so they could not protect their female co-workers from mistreatment!!! Over the years and still to this day it is almost shocking what women will go through to provide for their family. Another example by Rich in the 1800s, discusses how the mothers sometimes gave their unweaned babies “watery gruel” instead of breast milk . I can not even imagine to not be able to met my children's basic needs !:(
So, a bit guiltily, I restate, "I am so lucky" to be a mother in the conditions I have (and most all the mothers I know) I am sitting at Chic-fil-a having a nice chicken salad and glancing through a soundproof glass wall at my four year old climbing on the equipment. It has to have been a mother that designed this wonderful restaurant. The mothers get a break and can possible read or talk to friends and the child is having a ball.
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