Women Who "Work"
OK, I understand how Hilary Rosen feels about women and work, and also why Ann Romney is stirring the sympathy vote: "Democrat Says Ann Romney “Has Never Worked A Day In Her Life” http://politi.co/HBPadI If truth be told, I got into the same fix myself years ago, when I went back to my high school to give a talk, and said that I couldn't be "just a housewife, raising kids, baking cupcakes and tending my garden" when the world was in flames with the civil rights, anti-war and other movements. There was an audible gasp. Those were fighting words to all the stay-at-home moms in the audience, and my q&a period was hot with their anger. Yes, raising kids can be the most complicated, exhausting, and rewarding job of all. But yes, working also in the public world of work--in newspaper city rooms, rice paddies, business offices, taxis, airplane hangars, hospitals, etc. etc. is a completely different experience. American women who don't work outside the home are seen today as living in luxury--supported by someone else, if they aren't homeless and starving. That is what Hilary R. was talking about. Those who are able to live a truly ritzy life, raising kids, yes, with lots of domestic help, as Ann Romney has (and frankly, I had too)--well, they are not in the same category as most women, who are doing it all--the home work AND the outside work. And no one--NO ONE--is in the same category of work as our other Hillary--Hillary Clinton. Just try being US Secretary of State in this crazy world for ONE day.
