'New Domesticity' Is a Step Backwards for Women

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Ima Ryma of IL
Wrote “we got progress to do”.
Who says women have to march to the beat of your drum ???

Bill Hedges of MO 6:22AM December 06, 2011

Women's new domesticity -
Call it a pseudo retro trend.
Urban homesteading women be,
With hip veggie gardens to tend.
Even Mrs. Obama has
Seen fit to step back into time,
Setting a fad example as
Not making women's progress prime.
Women - how does the garden grow?
The growth is changing of the game,
To play like men do - doncha know?
Domestic do tiz doing lame.
C'mon women, it's no time to
Digress - we got progress to do.

Ima Ryma of IL 3:10AM December 06, 2011

This is a rich woman's problem. Normal people have to work, and in families, the norm is both spouses working. Problems arise when one spouse thinks they have the right not to work, female or male. That is my only objection with the "new domesticity". Go and do it, but only if you can afford it and your partner agrees. Otherwise, take it up as a leisure time activity.

dspwil of WA 12:09AM December 06, 2011

Michelle Obama is your fault. You sowed those seeds.
NEVER do what you want.
"Hold the line." Right Ms ?
kick them OUT OF WH and paved the garden. Good for woman & the ecology. Right Ms ?
For relaxation and help family. No, for liberating CAUSE. Go be CEO of GM. That's your duty. Right Ms ? Make THAT a ORDER.
Only men can do what they want...

Bill Hedges of MO 8:54PM December 05, 2011

What if men wanted to grow some plants and vegetables in their back yard farm, have bee hives, a fish pond, raise chickens, herd sheep? Would that be a step backwards for Men?
Maybe we all should just sit down and watch the tube... there is no sense in finding new ways to enjoy life in all these other 'fetishes' after a hard days work in the office.

Dave of FL 8:39PM December 05, 2011

I can't think of much of anything more meaningful or feminine than raising a loving brood of kids and home schooling them. I reckon it's probably a lot more rewarding than the proverbial gold plated watch after 30 years playing desk jockey.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 8:29PM December 05, 2011

Jamie,
Thanks for these thoughtful, strong statements. As a father of three very bright, educated daughters, I share the essence of your sentiments (and your concerns)...and (most importantly) so do they.
Wishing you all the best during this holiday season,
CR

C. Rollston of TN 7:21PM December 05, 2011

This is not a tale of women taking a step backward, it is a tale of women embracing their freedom to choose a way of life they desire. Not every woman wants to be a politician, a successful lawyer, or a successful business woman. Some of us want to embrace our maternal instincts and raise our children in the most loving and supportive way possible. For me that meant quitting my prestigious job on wall street to raise my daughter. I'm sorry if you find that a step in the wrong direction, but a part of feminism is the ability for a woman to live as she wants, and that is exactly what I did. I traded my 60 hour work week for baking home made cookies and play dates.

Karen of NY 5:55PM December 05, 2011

I distinctly remember a blog Jamie Steihm recently wrote:
-------------------
"Praying for More Women Leaders"
November 15, 2011
One female poster contributed the following;
"Your diatribe speaks volumes of what is painfully obvious and absent, Stiehm ....the inclusion the number one female in the media these days, Michelle Bachman!"
"Just as long as long as your "powering female" running for the highest office in the land is a thieving, corrupted, Democrat, nothing else matters, eh?"
"You disgust me, traitor!"
Alysia R. of CA 1:06PM November 15, 2011
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I hope Alysia doesn't mind as this comment is, again, most befitting here too!
The tune you're singing is getting a little moldy!

Nancy Marone of MA 3:50PM December 05, 2011

So glad to hear another embittered tale of women taking a step backwards. It helps me to understand just how absolutely worthless college is for women. All that education afforded you and this is the best you can come up with? Its hilarious that you would condescend to Emily Matchar since that's exactly what she does to us lowly women of the earth that choose canning and other mundane brainless activities as our mainstay in life. Do you realize just how unintelligent both you and Matchar sound when you talk about things you can't even begin to comprehend? All that education, shame on you! :)

Angela of NM 3:45PM December 05, 2011