Tuesday, July 19, 2011

To motherhood

At one stage in my teenage years I wanted to be an engineer. My careers teacher at the time poured scorn on this as I showed no interest or aptitude for engineery type things. So then I decided to be a vet simply because I liked animals - except snakes and spiders - but television close-ups of the work involved put me off that.

My idea to own an oil rig I thought was a good one but grown-ups, as usual, saw only problems - where will you get the money to buy it? - where I saw opportunity - I'll borrow it from the bank.

In fact I don't ever remember the careers teacher giving me any helpful advice or suggestions. Maybe she realised what I didn't discover until later, but because it was the dawning of the age of feminist consciousness she wasn't allowed to say it. If she'd felt able I think she would have said, 'Find a man and have babies.'

Once I'd found the man and had the babies I knew without doubt what it was I was born to be - which was just as well because if I'd had to rely on talent and ability to get through life I'd have been screwed.

Motherhood - and now grannyhood - that's what it's about it. For me at least. It's where I've found my niche in life, my place. I don't claim to be good at it but I'm better at it than at anything else.

I was discussing with someone yesterday the fact that society has changed so much. When we were young parents mothers who went out to work were few; now it's the norm, a necessity in some cases if you want to pay the mortgage this month.

Some claim this is good and a woman's right and where a woman has a career or job she loves and wants to do, that's fair enough; but I'm sure there are plenty of others, like me, who only ever wanted to be mums. Which I happen to think is the most important job in the world.

4 comments:

Furtheron said...

I think these days for most people to pay the necessities, food, housing, utilities etc. both have to be breadwinners. My wife and I were lucky we were on the last wave I think of the generation where you could consider not working to bring up your kids - I really don't think it is an option now.

It is without a doubt the most important job but sadly all of society seems to be turned around... how many people simply view themselves as defined by their work rather than their family?

nick said...

I can't see anything wrong with being a full-time mother if that's where your natural talents lie. Expecting people to get a "proper job" when they're not suited to it makes no sense at all. In any case, childrearing IS a proper job.

Suburbia said...

I am glad I have been able to bring mine up to the age of 4 and 7 without working. Then I got a job working at schools so I could always be with them.

Sadly they don't seem to remember all that we did together in their early years, and during that time I have lost a career.

I'm not sure I'd recommend the same path to my daughter. And meanwhile, I really need a proper job now!!

Chuck Pergiel said...

Good for you!