I listen to Philosophy Talk religiously. I was stoked to find they did a video recording this time. The subject is “What is a wife?” This is quite relevant since yesterday was International Women’s Day. Enjoy!
Audio/Video, Gender in history, Gender Issues, Philosophy
author marilyn yalom commends europe, particularly france, for the ‘services they provide to support mothers.’ the french answer is a heavily state-subsidized creche program that separates mothers from their young children. i have heard from friends who live in france that the prevalent attitude there is that the state is responsible for raising the child. couldn’t there be a better way to actually ‘support mothers’ in helping them to raise their own children, if that is feasible and desirable to them? how about we start with viewing parenting itself as a viable and very important profession (for mothers and fathers), and eschew the view that ‘work’ is valued by the amount of money it produces? around about minute 51, ken taylor alludes to the attitude shift that needs to change to truly support better parenting and acknowledge the value and dignity of mothering.
I want to make sure I am understanding you correctly. Are you saying you think (1) that motherhood should be something that earns an income somehow or (2) that any connection to income is ill-advised and mother’s need to see the role of motherhood as a superior sacrifice to a occupation driven life?