Yeah life is full of trade-offs and sacrifices.

People who go on about 'having it all' are delusional. It is possible to have it all but only in a superficial sense and the journey is fraught with exhaustion and unrealistic expectations. But to each his/her own.

"The institutionalisation of infants en masse is a dubious distinction indicative of a society that places the pursuit of excess way above the emotional and developmental well-being of its most vulnerable citizens."

Well said Poirot. I have used child care part time for a couple of years but spent most of my children's early years at home. It has been worthwhile.

I never had any trouble getting back into the workforce - one just has to start over to some extent - that is one of the trade-offs and that is okay. Why do people think life has to always provide them with exactly what they want at all times. Start your own business.

The idea that women become unemployable after raising kids is something myself and many friends and acquaintances have never experienced. It is more myth than reality. The proliferation of home computers and access to information means women are less apt to lose their skills.

I have many rigorous discussions with other women about the implications and long term effects of child care - mainly started by them in an attempt to justify their choices. Just saying you were a stay-at-home is enough to spur others to launch into a self-fulfilling ethical debate about the benefits of child care and the rights of women.

It is human nature to justify one's own actions. Studies of child care reveal the benefits of child care tend to apply in dysfunctional family situations and where incomes are lower and where good child care can provide a positive contrast.

The dreadful 'Working Families' has become so ingrained and necessary for some that the idea of staying at home is not seen as a viable alternative even if many women would choose that option.

Poirot,
"odious sexism" and "obnoxious rhetoric" etc

You have not made a single verifiable or justifiable point in any posting, and saying that the modern mother has "maternal instincts" is not verifiable or justifiable considering modern motherhood.

The situation is rather grim for the younger generation.

Most companies require a medical if someone is applying for a job with that company, but I can’t think of too many companies who would want to employ someone who is asthmatic, obese, diabetic, fatherless, depressed and was raised in a daycare center.

Even a feminist wouldn’t employee such a person.

Or maybe they would.

vanna,

You really are a most delightful fellow, aren't you - I'll be sad when you return to your home planet.

Meanwhile - while you're still with us - the writer Rebecca West once made this canny observation:

"People always call me a feminist when I express opinions that differentiate me from a doormat."

Poriot,
You are soo unfunny and humourless.

The feminist cry went out that women have to achieve "financial independence", so many women sent their children off to a daycare center and went to work.

This now costs the taxpayer $3.7 billion per year, and has simply increased prices of such things as houses, so women are no better off eventually.

So far as the children are concerned.

Well who is concerned?

I've never heard a feminist show concern about what is happening to children.

Sacrificial lambs to some worthless cause.

vanna,

I'm probably one of the more dubious about feminism among the women of OLO - and if you read my posts you'd realise that.

However, I realise, as I have stated many times, that our institutionalised culture is a product of rabid consumerism - something that is wholeheartedly endorsed by both genders and encouraged by all stratas of society.

It's the pursuit of excess by the entire population (some of whom are men) that delivers a warped society.

Btw - yours is a singular misogyny. It seems that if something doesn't meet your approval, you automatically blame feminists or women in general....I have to tell you that it comes across as a tad "unbalanced".

Poirot:I'm probably one of the more dubious about feminism among the women of OLO - and if you read my posts you'd realise that.”

I still don’t even understand what it is.

Before this feminist thing women did work, kids in school or an Aunty or older sister looked after them. I don’t think women working is a new thing at all. But childcare became big business and businesses like to grow and advertise and convince everyone how necessary they are. I’ve not met many men unhappy that their wives work or who attempt to discourage it these days.

Vanna:”I can’t think of too many companies who would want to employ someone who is asthmatic, obese, diabetic, fatherless, depressed and was raised in a daycare center.”

No but keep looking babe.