I would just like to give a shout out to all dads and especially those who are single parents. It's a hard job but keep up the good work.
Today someone said to me, "so he's the mommy." Why do we refer to fathers as the mom? Is it because we don't picture men as caretakers?
Any thoughts?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Interesting Read
In my women's studies class, we have assigned readings in a book titled Women's Voices Feminist Visions put together by Susan M. Shaw and Janet Lee. There is one reading in particular that I would like to share passages from, "Flat Broke with Children" written by Sharon Hays.
"Poor mother' support for welfare reform is the single most striking indication that welfare mothers are not the social "outsiders" portrayed in the Personal Responsibility Act. Most welfare mothers share the core values of most Americans. They share a concern with contemporary problems in work and family life and a commitment to finding solutions--including the overhaul of the welfare system. The trouble is, welfare reform was founded on the assumption that welfare mothers do not share American values and are, in fact, personally reponsible for undermining our nation's moral principles. The policies and procedures instituted by welfare reform have thus been aimed at "fixing" these women."
The above passage was perfectly stated. Welfare mothers are concerned about not only their own problems but also problems that are bigger than themselves. I would love for our country to find alternate sources of energy. Most welfare mothers do care about problems in work and family life. The welfare system does need reform. In it's current state, I believe people on welfare are becoming dependent, and therefore our country needs a system that focuses on responsibility, accountability, and helping people become more independent. In the last sentence of the quote, the word fixing is used to describe what needs to be changed regarding welfare mothers. This sort of thinking is what leads to negative images and rude remarks. Welfare shouldn't have negative connotations linked to it, but rather another word for help.
"It is this failure to take account of the full measure of our interdepence that allows for the construction of 'us-versus-them' scenarios that not only demonize welfare recipients but also call into question the values and behaviors of all of us who find ourselves unable to mimic the mythological model of perfected self-reliance: seamlessly juggling our multiple commitments without ever needing to depend on our friends, families, our neighbors, or the nation to support us."
Every single person at some point needs help. As a society, we should be coming together. Whatever happened to courtesy and helping out our neighbors. I looked at the definitions of welfare and I picked one out that I like. According to WordNet by Princeton University, welfare is "something that aids or promotes well-being; 'for the benefit of all'." Help is a good thing, unless of course it's taken advantage of.
Any thoughts?
"Poor mother' support for welfare reform is the single most striking indication that welfare mothers are not the social "outsiders" portrayed in the Personal Responsibility Act. Most welfare mothers share the core values of most Americans. They share a concern with contemporary problems in work and family life and a commitment to finding solutions--including the overhaul of the welfare system. The trouble is, welfare reform was founded on the assumption that welfare mothers do not share American values and are, in fact, personally reponsible for undermining our nation's moral principles. The policies and procedures instituted by welfare reform have thus been aimed at "fixing" these women."
The above passage was perfectly stated. Welfare mothers are concerned about not only their own problems but also problems that are bigger than themselves. I would love for our country to find alternate sources of energy. Most welfare mothers do care about problems in work and family life. The welfare system does need reform. In it's current state, I believe people on welfare are becoming dependent, and therefore our country needs a system that focuses on responsibility, accountability, and helping people become more independent. In the last sentence of the quote, the word fixing is used to describe what needs to be changed regarding welfare mothers. This sort of thinking is what leads to negative images and rude remarks. Welfare shouldn't have negative connotations linked to it, but rather another word for help.
"It is this failure to take account of the full measure of our interdepence that allows for the construction of 'us-versus-them' scenarios that not only demonize welfare recipients but also call into question the values and behaviors of all of us who find ourselves unable to mimic the mythological model of perfected self-reliance: seamlessly juggling our multiple commitments without ever needing to depend on our friends, families, our neighbors, or the nation to support us."
Every single person at some point needs help. As a society, we should be coming together. Whatever happened to courtesy and helping out our neighbors. I looked at the definitions of welfare and I picked one out that I like. According to WordNet by Princeton University, welfare is "something that aids or promotes well-being; 'for the benefit of all'." Help is a good thing, unless of course it's taken advantage of.
Any thoughts?
Welcome
My name is Rebecca. I created this website as an Awareness Project for a women's studies class I'm taking this semester. There were many topics to choose from but I chose to raise awareness about motherhood. Not only motherhood but also women who are single mothers and who are having a tough time.
Here's my story. Last year, I found out I was pregnant. At that point in time I was 20 years old. As you may imagine it was a happy and confusing time. I decided that moving back in with my parents would be the best thing for my baby and myself. It turns out they have been the most supportive of all. I was unemployed and pregnant. This is where my journey to motherhood began. I talked to my sister and she gave me numbers to call. I was and still am embarrassed that I need help but for the sake of my daughter, I'm not to proud to ask for help. I enrolled in Badgercare and WIC; both are very beneficial programs and hopefully one day I will be able to give back to them. Spring of 2008 came around and I enrolled in school again. I only took 2 classes, but I successfully completed both of them which is just one more step in the right direction. Finally it was July 4th and my healthy baby girl was born. At first, it was all overwhelming. I remember being in the hospital by myself wondering if I would be a good mom. I think I can safely say now that I am a good mom and am learning new things everyday. Of course it's a challenge and some days are better than others but I have learned a lot about myself. This fall of 2008, I enrolled in 4 more classes. I'm still unemployed but have been applying for jobs since late summer/early fall. Although, I have a job interview tomorrow, cross your fingers for me. For labeling purposes solely, I am a single mother. My beautiful daughter, Roselin, is now 5 months old. It's hard being a single parent but even harder than that is the way people treat you. No, things in my life haven't gone as planned and I try everyday to be better than I was the day before. Yes, I need public assistance but I'm trying to better myself so that I only need help temporarily. People treat me differently depending on what they know about me. For example, some workers at the hospital have treated me with less courtesy than other customers, while at school I'm treated as any other student would be. Luckily for me, I believe it's the hard times that make us better people. Every person matters.
I invite you to share your own story.
Here's my story. Last year, I found out I was pregnant. At that point in time I was 20 years old. As you may imagine it was a happy and confusing time. I decided that moving back in with my parents would be the best thing for my baby and myself. It turns out they have been the most supportive of all. I was unemployed and pregnant. This is where my journey to motherhood began. I talked to my sister and she gave me numbers to call. I was and still am embarrassed that I need help but for the sake of my daughter, I'm not to proud to ask for help. I enrolled in Badgercare and WIC; both are very beneficial programs and hopefully one day I will be able to give back to them. Spring of 2008 came around and I enrolled in school again. I only took 2 classes, but I successfully completed both of them which is just one more step in the right direction. Finally it was July 4th and my healthy baby girl was born. At first, it was all overwhelming. I remember being in the hospital by myself wondering if I would be a good mom. I think I can safely say now that I am a good mom and am learning new things everyday. Of course it's a challenge and some days are better than others but I have learned a lot about myself. This fall of 2008, I enrolled in 4 more classes. I'm still unemployed but have been applying for jobs since late summer/early fall. Although, I have a job interview tomorrow, cross your fingers for me. For labeling purposes solely, I am a single mother. My beautiful daughter, Roselin, is now 5 months old. It's hard being a single parent but even harder than that is the way people treat you. No, things in my life haven't gone as planned and I try everyday to be better than I was the day before. Yes, I need public assistance but I'm trying to better myself so that I only need help temporarily. People treat me differently depending on what they know about me. For example, some workers at the hospital have treated me with less courtesy than other customers, while at school I'm treated as any other student would be. Luckily for me, I believe it's the hard times that make us better people. Every person matters.
I invite you to share your own story.
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