Anyone who believes Republicans are at war with women is basing his or her assumption on a flawed conception of the Republican Party. Women should be free to choose the type of work they want, whether it takes place inside or outside the home. Democrats, like Hilary Rosen, who condemn stay-at-home mothers are, in fact, just as elitist and misguided as the imaginary Republicans they think they are fighting.
Political Theory and Punditry from a native of Flyover Country
Mitt Gets Better At Politics
The Romney campaign appears poised to score a few points off the incredibly cheap attack leveled by Hilary Rosen on Ann Romney.
I made a choice to stay home and raise five boys. Believe me, it was hard work.
— Ann Romney (@AnnDRomney) April 12, 2012
Sometimes I swear the Romney campaign reads my blog. (If Only)
But on a serious note, this “Stay-at-home-moms don’t have real jobs” thing is something the Dems might want to loudly and swiftly denounce. Then again, that might require people like Hilary Rosen to believe there’s value to such lifestyles.
War on What?
My Mom, who holds a Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, quit “working” when I was in Elementary. I’d venture to guess that she wouldn’t describe life since as a casual vacation. Raising a kid or two, let alone the four she’s had to deal with, is more than a full time job.
So to those who accuse the GOP of waging an amorphous “War on Women,” it might be time to take a peek in the mirror.
It’s undoubtedly true that elements of the GOP need to spend some more time with their female loved ones. The recent spate of attacks on legal contraception and the insulting tendency from middle aged men to call young women names such as “slut” needs to stop. There’s no doubting that.
What also needs to stop is this condescending tone to stay at home mothers. Rosen saying that Mrs. Romney has never worked implies the labor she’s put forth for her family has no value in today’s society. It’s demeaning and an assault on the integrity of the family. With the rise of stay at home Dads, we might want to recognize the hard work any parent in that role puts in for the sake of their kids.
Ann Romney doesn’t deserve such attacks. No mother does.
