Comparative Essay: Mothers With A Divided Heart

Comparative Essay: Mothers With A Divided Heart


Kathy O"Reilly April 3, 1997 Comparative Essay

The importance of raising children to be productive members of a rapidly
evolving, achievement oriented society, is paramount to the success of the
family and the global economy. At the same time, the stresses of every day
individual economic and personal fulfillment needs are a significant counter
force.   This force works against the available time and effort required for
mothers to successfully nurture their young. It has resulted in societal "Mommy
Wars", pitting the working mom against the stay-at-home mom, in a battle over
which model offers the clearest path to nurturing success.   Bridging the gap
requires each to accept that there is not one right choice for every family and
to understand and respect each individual decision.   All moms have one thing in
common:   they make sacrifices to do what is best for their families.   To a
working mom, this means not spending as much time with her children, and for
stay-at-home moms, this means not getting much time to herself.   Being home or
not with the children is not as important as creating an environment where the
children can thrive and feel loved.

Stay-at-home moms are often viewed as "soap-opera-watching couch potatoes" with
no ambition.   Rather than being praised for their decision to stay home, they
often feel they need to defend it.   Society talks so much about family values,
yet gives little respect or value to stay-at-home moms who raise the families.
In addition, stay-at-home moms find it challenging to provide a social setting
for their children when being at home all day is the only stimulation they have.
Furthermore, the strain of not bringing in money for a better standard of living
can lead to self-doubt and isolation.   That feeling of insecurity can be put to
rest, however, with the peace-of-mind that comes from knowing that the child is
being well taken care of.   Stay-at-home moms have the opportunity...