The social media world of parents, stay-at-home moms in particular is blowing up after President Obama’s speech in Providence, Rhode Island on 10/13/14.
During his speech, Obama was going about about the need for better childcare and his main solution was high quality childcare for children, but not wanting Americans, mainly women making the choice to stay home. Here’s his exact words from the transcript…
There have been many stay-at-home moms who quickly lashed out on Facebook and Twitter to show their anger from his words, and rightfully so!
Mollie Hemingway published an article on The Federalist title 3 Reasons President Obama is Wrong About Stay-At-Home Mothers, and again, I agree with her stance.
But, this leaves me thinking, does Obama think it would be better for more men to be Stay-At-Home fathers instead? Or, is he just thinking we don’t exist and it’s only women who stay at home? I’m a major support of any at-home and working parent as I am and have been both and if works in your family, that’s the best thing!
Having a parent stay home to raise the kid(s) is wonderful for their development and saves a lot of hassle from dealing with getting them to and from daycare along with the expense similar to if not greater than sending them to college.
Anyway, just had to share my thoughts on our President’s great ideas (sense my sarcasm) and would like to get your thoughts.
How do you feel about Obama’s words on childcare and stay-at-home parenting?
It is a fact, at least where I live, that most of the time if a parent stays home, it will be the mother. Reading this, I don’t think Obama was meaning women should be the only ones to do this, he was just stating a fact. I know a dad who stayed home for a lot of years and this year went back to work. There is nothing wrong with that at all! I also know a lot of people think it’s odd when the man stays home, for some reason. Men get a very bad rap for child care workers, too. My son is working with kids and you would be surprised at how many refuse to leave a child with him JUST because he is a man!
Very true about men not being seen as good childcare options. I’m even guilty of thinking this way once, and think society plays a big part in this thinking,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, hopefully men will gain in popularity one day!
There is a key word that people are forgetting about, he said “usually” not always, not only, not anything that is saying moms are exclusively the ones that stay at home. I don’t see why moms are outraged at that.
Most people stay at home because they can’t afford child care while some choose to do it because that is what they WANT to do. Is better child care the answer to keeping people from staying home? Is the solution giving the people the choice like raising the income levels so that it doesn’t have to be so difficult for one person to make that choice?
Very good point about the key word, and it goes to show how easily things can be blown out of proportion very fast! I understand the disagreement, but like you said, don’t think being outraged is needed.
To me, I don’t think there will ever be guaranteed better or “high quality” childcare as a viable option for all. Income issues aside, there is always the chance of a bad apple finding their way as a worker in a daycare. Even with all the background checks, it seems there have still been problems. Either way, I’m not sure what the number one best solution is, but for the parents that stay home because they want to, such as myself, I feel that is the best quality care a child can receive.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and visiting!
It can hard enough as a woman choosing to stay home. I cannot imagine how the stereotypes can be to you. I highly respect your decision though, and really hope more dads will continue to follow suit as the years go on. We may need a new speech of encouragement though. 🙂
Thank you very much for the kind words! I don’t feel like us dads should be placed higher on a pedestal than moms for staying home, just that all at-home parents are more highly regarded in society. For families that can afford to do so, I think it’s a wonderful way to raise a happy, healthy kid. At least that’s what we’re hoping for!! 🙂