How did the whole Ann Romney/Hilary Rosen mommy war turn into a so-called "working" moms vs. "stay-at-home" moms debate? I think it's partly Hillary's clumsy "never worked a day in her life" comment. Regardless, the conversation has been framed all wrong.
The real issue with Ann Romney relating to "real" American women on behalf of Mitt is her wealth, plain and simple. It's not about being a SAHM. She has not led a typical life. And the stresses she has faced as a wealthy mother of five boys are just the tip of the iceberg compared with the stresses most women face every day.
We could compare the life of a single mom who pulls a night shift at the hospital with the life of a married mom who spends her days shuttling her kids to and from ballet and soccer in a new minivan through manicured suburbs and we would still not come close to the differences between Ann and the rest of us.
Ann Romney isn't just well off. She's WEALTHY wealthy. Forget never having to worry about paying for health insurance, saving for her kids' college, having to choose between food or diapers. She's way beyond that. Wealthy enough to hire a Downton Abbey-sized crew of people to care for the $10 million house in New Hampshire, $895,000 townhouse in Belmont, and $12 million property in La Jolla (a tear-down to make room for a 11,000 square foot house -- good thing they got rid of the mansion in Deer Valley because that was really too many servants). Wealthy enough to hide the number of horses she owns from her husband. Wealthy enough to hire someone to keep track of the bills for her.
Now there's nothing wrong with being stinkin' rich. As Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof puts it, "If money is a curse, than may God smite me with it -- AND MAY I NEVER RECOVER!" But it does create a special challenge for relating to the pressures regular parents face.
Wealthy, privileged moms in America work hard, too. But not at the same stuff we do. And not with the same pressures.
Do you think the Ann Romney war is just a distraction from the real issues women face?
Image via BU Interactive News/Flickr
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Comments 71
Yes, this is a distraction. It has no relationship at all to the duties of the President.
The fact that they're so successful and wealthy makes having Romney as President sound all that much more appealing! He knows how to make good choices, obviously! GO MITT 2012 !!
Having stayed up nights helping my husband figuring out bills, doing proposals at 2 a.m. in the morning, while being a stay at home mom, starting with basically nothing and ending up with something only to be facing this economy, we can't really "judge" Mrs. Romney. We are not privy to what she does for her husband and/or his business's behind the scenes especially from years back.
This is so typical of women tearing each other down because of jealousy and envy! Each and every woman makes choices that affect their families. We should support each other instead of comparing ourselves. Women please don't give into your naggy, whiny selves. Stop beating each other up. Just because a person has money doesn't mean they can't understand the struggles of people who aren't as well off. No one should feel guilty about having money, unless it was gotten by illegal means!!!
Be thankful for what you have, work hard, make good choices, and try and help others. Everyone would be better off if they focused on these things instead of tearing others down.
I agree 100% with Becky!
But just to be fair, Hilary is a single mom after her seperation from her partner, but she wasn't always. They both didn't HAVE to work like some moms who would love to stay at home. (no judgement though... to each their own) So you can't really compare Rosen either. The statement was highly thrown out of context... she was talking about Romneys inexperience with the business world, not that stay at home moms aren't in touch with the 'real world'. I am a SAHM but I was an Engineer before hand. I know more about economics than sweet girl who waited on me at Bob Evans. She is a working mom and I, stay at home. (because I can and want to) Obviously Rosen would have nothing to say to me. Lets call this what it is: a statement pointing out one person's ineptness in business... not bashing moms who stay at home.