The Price of Motherhood-- Ann Crittenden

[houseelf]

I could not put this book down. Regardless of your beliefs on how motherhood should be performed, you will find a voice to your frustrations in this book. Crittenden talks about the inherent unfairness of being a SAHM in this country--no pension, no subsidized preschools, no health benefits, and no real economic power in the case of divorce. She then calculates the price of motherhood for moms who also work outside the home: lost career opportunities, daycare not considered a business expense, disparate division of labor within the home. She examines these issues in light of the world economy with specific illustrations about the so-called "mommy tax" in countries like Sweeden and various third world countries. Regardless of your political beliefs, her study will make you reconsider.

The only criticism that I could offer is that it verges on man bashing in a few instances instead of seeing this issue as a issue that touches everyone. But other than that, I would recommend this book to everyone.

Kelly

I snuck a peak the other night at Barnes and Nobles when I went to have a coffee by myslef....it looks like one of those books where you have to actually think while you read. IN other words, it's going to take me awhile.. I was definately intrigued by her idea of mommy tax...and the statistics pointing to women who have their children while young as being more likely to be divorced and poor I wonder if 24 qualifies as young? She also blew the lid off of some divorce myths by discussing which states allow for a 50-50 split of marital assets (I think there were only 14 !!!!!). She pointed out that the laws usually state a "fair" distribution...and that the judge gets to decide what's fair...also that alimony is almost never paid to young moms regardless of whether or not they gave up their careers, income for their spouse and this is true even if they have small children at home. As long as they are "able-bodied", they must work..even if it means that they never finish their education and end up in fast food or something Older women must have been married a certain amount of time and face similar struggles to get alimony.

Honestly, I think this is what shocked me the most....as a woman you do give up salary for years to raise children, don't pay into your social security, may put off an education...and I truly believed that at least the law was on our side...it seems that it isn't.

I'll keep reading each time I head over to B&N....

Kris
Time is a Dressmaker, Specializing in Alterations!

[houseelf]

Other authors pipe in on one aspect of this subject....

www.usatoday.com/life/dcovmon.htm#more

OK...I borrowed this book from Kelly....I can hardly read it!!! When I follow her arguments, I start getting really angry. There is a double standard in this country about parenting. The most interesting part of what I've read so far was the example about Sweden....there, fathers regularly take extended paternity leaves, etc and are more likely to be involved in all aspects of childcare and housework. Apparently, this was in a response for a need for women to join the work force or the importation of foreign workers. The government decided to recruit its qualified women and made many aspects of childcare easier...

Kelly, this is an awesome book...

kris

I'm now intrigued by the subject matter of this book. I'll have to read it when I'm done with the few books I have on my "to read" list. I suspect I will agree with the emotions of the subject although I think from what Kristen was relaying I will probably disagree with the reasons why the US is in the situation it is in regarding motherhood....

Jennifer