Santorum v. Feminists: Mom Talk

If Rick Santorum is to be believed, “the radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness.”

As I sit at my kitchen counter nursing my newborn and attempting to earn a living, I can’t help but think Ricky boy is full of crap.

Yep, I’m a stay-at-home mom. I used to rock the suit every day. I worked in the Loop. I owned my own agency. I traveled the world. I climbed the corporate ladder. I hit the glass ceiling. I shattered it by choosing to stay at home with my kids.

First of all, I’m not buying the idea that the traditional family is entirely undermined. Nor do I agree with the premise that professional accomplishments can’t make women happy.

It is incredibly rewarding for me to contribute to our family’s financial goals. When my clients’ checks arrive, I love being able to turn them over to my husband. (Having been responsible for the ebb and flow of a $1 million business, paying bills is overrated.)

My paying jobs are no more rewarding to me than the exhilaration of watching our children grow, and play, and learn. I love the balance in my life.

I also chuckle at the “radical feminists" line. Really? What is that exactly? The feminist movement arose to give women choices, not limitations.

Gloria Steinem said that most women are one man away from welfare. That’s a pretty powerful statement. It’s largely true. If it weren’t for life insurance, it describes just about every family where the man is the breadwinner. Radical indeed.

Yes, I am one of the lucky ones. I have the opportunity to earn a living doing what I love while staying at home, working around my children’s routines. There are many more women who don’t have that option. Most families need two full-time incomes. In fact, two incomes at minimum wage are still below poverty level. What does that say about the traditional family?

Moms, we have to put our marriages and our children first. Part of that also means that we, ourselves, have to be happy. In the last three years I’ve been home, I never not once experienced people who look down their noses at me.

On the contrary, most of my friends are envious to some degree. Most women, I think, would work less if it meant they could spend more time at home with their families.

Working outside the home isn't required in order to claim the label “feminist." My option is to stay with my kids (and pray for naptime).

Thanks to the social revolutionaries, like Ms. Steinem, I have that choice. So Mr. Santorum, stick that in your pulpit and smoke it.