And no, I'm not talking about getting a degree and then not being able to find a job...although that can definitely feel applicable at timesEver wonder why some studies are even conducted? "Eating fast food positively linked to obesity!" No kidding! The latest, reported by the NYT, "At-home Moms Rate Themselves Higher Than Working Moms, Survey Finds". The 'rating' they're talking about is rating themselves on how good of a mother they are. I don't have kids, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about, but isn't it obvious that you're going to feel that you're being a better mother if you see your kids for more than 2 hours a day? I realize a lot of people probably feel this peaks after you spend a certain number of hours with your kids - i.e. after that, the more time you spend with your kids, the worse of a mother you become (haha). But seeing as only 13% of mothers think that them working full time is what's best for their kids (a breakthrough!), it seems there's somewhat of a concensus on the issue.
Another breakthrough: stay-at-home mothers tend to be younger than mothers who work. No kidding! Maybe that's because they stay at home when their kids are young (and they are young) and go back to work when their kids are a bit older (and they are a bit older).
Anyway, despite the inanity of the study, it's nice to see an article which (in my opinion) sheds at least somewhat of a positive light on staying at home with your kids (if you ignore the stay-at-home-moms-are-less-educated-than-moms-who-work bit, which I'm sure a lot of feminists take as if-you're-educated-you-would-never-waste-your-life-staying-at-home, although I think the real reason is that the type of job you'd have if you, say, had a university degree is much more flexible and understanding that the kind of job you might have if you're, say, a high school drop-out - not that the two are mutually exclusive!).
What breakthrough study do you have for us next, NYT?
I've seen some pretty funny study titles in The Onion. I know this blog is your rants and raves, but I'd love to see some pictures of the area where you live, I have no mental picture for it...
ReplyDeleteRachel, there was article in the NYTimes, last Tuesday, by Jane Brody about the importance of talking to/with your child, instead of talking on a cell phone as your push your child in a stroller or walk down the street. Unfortunately, many parents have no clue how important it is to talk to and with their children, as opposed to just talking at them, giving them instructions. I'd put a link to it here, but I'm not that savvy. I passed it out to parents of all the children in my class and in the class of children just younger. It's important!
ReplyDeleteToo bad about the snow in Calgary. Yes, put some photos on.
Maryanne, just picture Cardston with about 2,000 times as many people. That's Calgary!
ReplyDeleteThanks, dad. That's very helpful.
ReplyDelete