I thought of Alisa_S yesterday. :)

Bella427

During lunch a SAHM friend of a friend said "All I've ever aspired to be is a mother."  I've heard several women say this.  I keep picturing Alisa_S saying how sexist that comment is.  If my DH said "all I've ever wanted to be is a father" people would look at him like he has 2 heads. 

carrie4g

It makes me think of that show "Mad Men" or the movie "Working Girl". We've come so far as women in the career world and it is statements like that which set us back.  I could never imagine sitting in front of my friend saying "All I aspire to be is _____". Sounds like she's trying to sell herself on something. I more like the statements of "All I've ever aspired to be is a good mom, wife, friend, worker and contributor to society." something like that....

JillAly

If I heard someone say that, I would think her parents didn't encourage her to try new things and help her to grow or that she was afraid to try.  I would think she is missing out on part of who she is.  But if she tried many things but nothing compared to her desire to be a SAHM, then I would think it's great that in today's society she has the choice to do something outside the home or be a SAHM.  Just because she has the opportunity to do something else, doesn't mean she HAS to.  It's just not a life I personally could relate to because I love my career.

AlisaS

Ha ! Exactly. How awful would it be (and my mother would kill me) if I said all I ever wanted to be was a working mother? 

Life is so much more than parenthood!

MrsAmers

JillAly:

But if she tried many things but nothing compared to her desire to be a SAHM, then I would think it's great that in today's society she has the choice to do something outside the home or be a SAHM.  Just because she has the opportunity to do something else, doesn't mean she HAS to.  It's just not a life I personally could relate to because I love my career.

This!  I don't think the choice to be a SAHM "sets us back".  It's just as much a valid choice as the one to go to work.  My mom never wanted to work outside of the home - her only desire was to be a mom and a wife.  It's not the life that I have chosen, but I still have respect for it. She found lots of ways to make her life fulfilling in addition to taking care of me and the house (volunteering, crafting, etc) and I think she raised a pretty great kid. 

Bronxgirl73

Bella427:

During lunch a SAHM friend of a friend said "All I've ever aspired to be is a mother."  I've heard several women say this.  I keep picturing Alisa_S saying how sexist that comment is.  If my DH said "all I've ever wanted to be is a father" people would look at him like he has 2 heads. 

I don't find her comment sexist as much as just plain sad.  It seems like she's cutting herself off from so many opportunities to nurture herself, nit just be somebody's mom. What's she going to do when her kids grow up?