It’s all moms fault

Last updated on: July 21, 2008 at 5:23 pm by Pia de Solenni

It’s all moms fault 2008-07-21T17:23:46-07:00 Pia de Solenni

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Here’s a new twist on demographic issues. Russell Shorto, an experienced and well published author, takes a look at the demographic crisis facing much of Europe and comes to the conclusion that it’s all because of stay-at-home moms.’,’He makes the case that countries that offer more support for working mothers, like Sweden, have a higher birthrate because women can work and have children. He gives Italy as an example of a country where stay-at-home moms have fewer children than working moms and concludes that the demographic crisis is caused in part by stay-at-home moms.

It’s a long feature piece, but provides a lot of interesting information. Unfortunately, he doesn’t dig deep enough. Since he relies on anecdotal evidence, I’ll bring in a bit of my own. My experience in Italy (living there for 6 years) was that many of the mothers who stayed home did so because it was a status symbol. It was an indication that they were wealthy enough to do so. Well, people who are motivated by such status usually aren’t keen on having los of children. They have one or two as a way to contribute to their status. Many seem to think that they don’t “need” more than one child. They also believe that having a child costs an exorbitant amount of money because they accessorize their child with designer clothing, prams, etc.

Working moms in Italy actually have it pretty good – they get close to 12 months of maternity leave and have a guaranteed job waiting for them. Ironically, Shorto points to the US and claims that our birthrate is higher here because we have a more “flexible” work system. Yet, aren’t we always hearing just how inflexible the professional world is for women in the US? Women aren’t having more children in the US because the work force is friendlier to them. Our economy, even as bas as we say it is now, happens to be better and tax credits for children aren’t a bad place to start. Not to mention the fact that some women make a conscious decision to stay home with their children because they think it’s the best thing for their family.

Newsflash – there are other motivators besides the economy and we happen to be a country that is particularly privileged because we have the mindset that things can actually be done. An Italian might say, instead, “Ma, non si fa.” (translation – it’s not done or it’s not possible.) Other modern cultures have been taught to give up before they even start.

Shorto also could have looked at the role of religious faith and demographics. Religious faith doesn’t just shape our ideas of family size (e.g. the question of contraception). It also shapes one’s entire existence. It can give hope when there might not be hope otherwise, the hope of things unseen. But essentially to blame the demographic crisis on stay-at-home moms is absurd. If a woman consciously puts her family before her career, she will most likely be open to having more than 1.7 or 1.3 children. If she stays home because it demonstrates a certain level of affluence, chances are that her interests lie elsewhere than taking care of and nurturing small children.

Thinking Out Loud

Uncategorized

Previous Post

July 21, 2008

The Myths Of Feminism...again

Next Post

July 21, 2008 Frozen better than fresh

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Articles Thinking Out Loud Uncategorized

Select a Month August 2016 July 2016 May 2016 March 2016 February 2016 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 September 2013 August 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 August 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 July 2007 October 1008

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does the Bible say about pride?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It is a virtue It is harmless It goes before a fall It always wins