"His wife has actually never worked a day in her life."
What person would say such a stereotypical, chauvinist statement about a stay-at-home mother of five? An unmarried, sexist working man, commenting in ignorance? Sadly, no, but another woman, political pundit Hilary Rosen, who made the comment in regard to Ann Romney.
Although Rosen later issued an apology toward Romney, this comment has brought up the issue known as "The Mommy Wars," with many stay-at-home moms arguing that their job is one of the hardest, and that it is a career choice.
Being a stay-at-home mom often has demands at all hours of the day, with few breaks. Sadly, the women who do this job do not receive the amount of recognition they deserve for the amazing work they complete. They often fulfill numerous careers within the job of a mother, such as a cook, chauffeur, therapist, teacher, housekeeper, doctor and so much more.
Depending on children's ages, a mother's job can become even more difficult, from having a new infant waking several times during the night, to consoling children with problems like bullies or broken hearts as they grow older. Mothers are there to offer a shoulder to cry on, as well as to celebrate with you over an achievement.
We teenagers can make this job harder on moms as we try to find our place in this world. We can tend to be a little vicious at times, and don't always realize that our mothers have been in almost the same situations we are facing today, and know how to get through them. With patience, our moms endure this rough time of our lives, trying to provide advice as needed. Often they are the ones keeping the household running smoothly and effectively, while also keeping the peace between members of the household.
Few have as big an influence on the world as mothers. In raising their children, they prepare them to make a difference in the world and continue to help them become the best that they can be by giving them support and guidance throughout their lives. Mothers are the ones that always see the best in you, though it may seem that no one else does, and are always there to listen to your problems, though they may seem insignificant. It can be hard growing up without this immense support that mothers provide us.
The career of motherhood is one of the most demanding and time consuming, and it is often taken for granted. Providing unconditional support, love and compassion, mothers help us to become the best we can be. Though others may look down on the career choice of being a stay-at-home mother, it truly is the career that demands the most skills, and is by far the most rewarding in the end. A mother's influence is vast, and it is hard to tell where it will end, as those she affects can, in turn, have a bigger impact on someone else.
It's hard to believe some look at stay-at-home mothers as women who have never worked, when that is far from reality. Being a stay-at-home mom is more than just baking cookies and relaxing all day. It requires the dedication of nearly all your time, with hardly a relaxing moment. In our world where we have become focused on ourselves, we need to take the attitude a mother has, and be more willing to serve others. Even though it may not be convenient for us at the time, it can greatly benefit everyone around us and improve our lives vastly.
The "Mommy Wars" need to end, as all moms work extremely hard in their profession, whether at home or elsewhere. We shouldn't argue over the idea that just because someone chooses to be a stay-at-home mother, she doesn't work as hard as those in other professions. All jobs require extreme dedication and can be stressful, but I'd say stay-at-home moms win by a landslide when comparing the amount of work that must be put in, as well as the effort and patience their job requires.
Meghan Jones is a sophomore at Bonneville High School. Contact her at jonesmeghan38@gmail.com.
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