LOOKING BACK

Mother’s Day raised a ground swell of memories in my mind.  I listened with interest to President Obama speak graciously about the efficiency of Michelle as a Mom to their two children. He included the grandmother as he should have.  I agree with his perception of their family.  A family that spends time together, a mother with quality time for her children, and a grandmother who nurtures and enjoys her grandchildren pictures a functioning family unit.  At one time, the majority of our nation boasted of family units such as he described. Does the average home function as defined by President Obama? The honest answer is no?

Who is responsible for the present state of the home in our nation?  This situation did not develop overnight.  Do we justly blame World War ll and the feminist movement for the foundation of the present life style?   These are legitimate questions.

My problem with the political thoughts of today is that we consent and support this flawed approach to a mother’s place in the family.  President Obama continued his speech with thoughts that immediately brought a depressed, dark vision to my mind. Not a life style of his making, but one that has evolved since WWll, and continues as the perfect pattern for normal family life.

After praising women, especially mothers, for the huge part they play in the fabric of American life, he moved into political space with typical rhetoric known to appeal to the feminist, liberal women of today.  A culture that has evolved removing women from their roles in the home and placing them in a competitive role with men.  The result of these changes leaves men weaker, less motivated, and often not a part of the parenting team. It forces women to engage in the work force with no credible option to return to the life style that advances the home instead of merely re-enforcing the rush to ego-building careers and wealth.

President Obama continued his speech referring to the slate of issues the liberal politicians wish to legislate in the future, many are well underway now. He emphasized that parents should be given the support they need.  Such as; paid maternity and paternity leave, sick leave, accommodations for workers who are pregnant, good health care, affordable child care, flexibility at work, equal pay, and decent minimum wage.  And the list continues for programs that will continue to expand the government into a nanny state.

I admit to being a conservative Christian who adheres to Bible concept of living, and I also recognize that my philosophy infuriates many of the younger generation. However, hear me out, please.  Before WWll, a small percentage of women worked outside the home. Men accepted the responsibility of providing for the family.  Families geared their life style within the income producing ability of the head of the household, usually a man.  Unmarried women, widows, and a rare divorcee entered the work force, but they accepted positions in a limited field, teachers, nurses, medical assistants, retail, office secretaries, and clerks. 

With the declaration of war, the scramble to build an army, and the logistics to equip that army became a national priority.  Along with this issue, all able-bodied males from 18 to 35 and many older were drafted to the military.  Women replaced the men in many capacities. 

The home began to deteriorate immediately.  Mothers who had provided full-time care and nurturing for the home and children worked long hours leaving the children alone or dropped in hastily prepared day care. Meals, laundry, quality time with children, became secondary to the war effort. The latch-key child became the normal rather than exception.

 

When the war ended mothers didn’t want to move back into their previous roles, thus the feminist movement arose.  The quest for material wealth infested the nation after the war years.  To finance this life style, both parents delved into careers.  Now we reap the results of the changed family environment.  Family values have evaporated into single parent homes, unattended children, and a hunger for material wealth. Women are expected to work outside the home and are encouraged to compete for jobs equal to the men. Children left to the educational system and care givers are easy targets for liberal indoctrination, falling into crime and gang behavior, experimenting with alcohol, drugs, and illicit sex.

My solution to our nation’s woes begins with better options for mothers to leave the work force and return to the control of daily home affairs.  Possibly we see a road forward with the trend of companies to allow women to work from home. No need for that slate of issues being considered in our legislature.  Adherence to Bible teachings, return to mid-century values, women accepting the God-given place as helpmeet for their husbands, and men rising to take responsibility for their families could restore homes, schools, and work places to the level of civility once valued in our nation.

When parents begin to discipline, lead, and prepare their children for maturity, assuring them an education within reason, insisting upon healthy, moral values, and instilling the golden rule, the nation will see a change in respect for civil authority, moral behavior, crime, and proper concern for others.

 The “What’s in for me” mentality begins in the cradle.  And when Mom is absent and distracted with career responsibility, it’s not a home; it’s just a place to eat and sleep. The home, the foundation of our nation, crumbles, and manipulation from the central government leads us to implosion.  For it is a fact, “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.” When mother and dad are substituted with “a nanny state,” who is rocking the cradle? Parents think on these things.