Women deserve choice not to be mothers
by Lauren Crider, nw news editor

    Why is it that, despite huge social advances, women today still ask the question, “Can I have a career?”

   Why, when nature has obviously made the decision for us, do women still wonder if they can have children?

   No one doubts the ability of women to do a job, nor do they doubt their ability to conceive, but to do both effectively seems completely inconceivable. That conclusion is not logical, but the perception is a problem facing too many women today.

   Psychologists, doctors, the media and society in general all have opinions about working mothers. In the last two weeks, I’ve read two articles in different magazines, watched three television programs and heard women analyze and agonize over the question of whether they can balance family and career.

   It is all supposed to be about what women want, but society actually chooses for them. We condemn a woman who spends her time rearing children, running a home and organizing the lives of other people. People wonder what happened to her. Is she not smart enough, too lazy or not suited for a “real” job?

   The American public also scrutinizes women who dedicate their lives to a career, who excel at work rather than at home. Is she unfeeling? What kind of a woman doesn’t like children?

   We assume that a woman without children is deficient in some way.

   So women choose both. Shouldn’t this appease us? Shouldn’t this end all the scrutiny?

   It doesn’t.

   Psychiatrists announce that working mothers are damaging their children.

   Religious “experts” know that the downfall of all society is a result of the downfall of families and, ultimately, the result of working mothers.

   So in the search for answers, women look to others who have gone before them.

   People magazine recently published an article about celebrity moms balancing career and family.

   Many of the working mothers concluded that they cannot do both jobs easily or successfully.

   These women were surprised to learn that they can’t be a mom, cook, family manager and actress or singer even with the help of millions of dollars, full-time maids and nannies.

   Maybe we should realize that women who decide to concentrate on rearing children take on a full-time job. Any woman with children will tell you motherhood is a career. However, it is not one you leave at the office or take time off from on weekends.

   Motherhood is a career women commit to for 18 years or longer. They remain a mother for life. How many people have life-long jobs?

   Society should realize that a woman who chooses career over family is contributing to society.

   A woman may love children, but she may also know herself enough to make the decision that she doesn’t want any.

   Women are not baby-making machines. Reproduction isn’t our sole purpose on earth.

   Most people will probably concede that the key is balance in whatever a woman chooses.

   Let’s just hope society realizes that fact sooner rather than later.