Page 7 The Lion’s Eye February 13, 2009 EDITOR’S SHTICK: Mommy Knows Best By Christina Felizzi — Editor-in-Chief — clf5050@psu.edu Louise Story’s article, “Many Women at Elite Colleges Set Career Path to Motherhood,” first printed in 2005 in The New York Times, revealed that the majority of female college stu- dents, specifically at Yale University, were willing to stop working full-time when they have children. As stated in the article, about 60 percent of the 85 Yale students interviewed said “they planned to cut back on work or stop working en- tirely.” And from the male student’s perspective, many of the male students at Harvard University think “that’s really great,” and even “sexy” that women are contemplating motherhood in this manner. : For me, this information was pleasing to learn, pleasantly surpris- ing actually. Initially, the stereotype of high-achieving, scholarly women popped into my brain — I labeled them as people who might put work before their children. ; Two arguments can be cre- ated from this article: one, that if these intellectual women stay at home with their children, how will they be able to contribute their knowledge and research, whatever that may be, to our society while they’re busying being a mom? Or two, in a generation where divorce rates are rising and working- mothers are multiplying, if we want to create closer families, why do parents ~~ keep choosing work over their chil- dren? Why even have children in the first place? I feel it’s nearly impos- sible to work full-time and be a “good” mother — that would be like having two full-time jobs — no one would be able to devote equal amount of time and ef- fort to both. Compromises have to be made. : : I am definitely not a scholar nor do I attend an ivy-league college, but I can imagine how important one’s research and intellectual contributions might be to our society. That’s great, our world is need of improvements big time, in almost every venue think- able. But we are also in need of better parents. Just think — if every parent, let’s say mother, decided to cut back her hours at her job. or even stop work- ing when her child is born, rather than putting them in day-care right away or letting a nanny watch them — don’t you think that child would be less likely to resent their mother and instead love and trust her? It’s about nipping it in the bud before it even starts. Just as we have driving tests and interview processes, “we should have some sort of test or . even crash-course for prospective parents so we can weed out the bad ones and keep the good. Ireally don’t understand why people have children when they are barley involved in their lives, let along even talking to them. I have a friend who was adopted and as . she got older, she became gradually less and less close to her family, who actually ended up physically and ver- bally abusing her. Now, why did those - people adopt her when they just ended up hurting her? Is it that difficult to love your child and want to be a part of their lives? Am I that much of an idealist? : I guess I just don’t get it. All I know is that from personally growing up in a loving, ‘intimate family environment, I want to. repeat the cycle and be a good mother for my children. Children first, work later. And maybe that’s placing myself - into the traditional gender role of being a stay-at-home mom, for some time at least, but there’s nothing degrading about it. If I can be a good mother for my children, I will have achieved something priceless — a loving, strong family bond. Who needs Mastercard? ANNA AAA AAAI AANA Pai ASSN NN Do you have NNR NNN relationship problems? (z0ing through a tough time in your life? Questions that need to be ~~ ahswered? | IF you answered yes to any of these questions, never fear, Ebony and Ivory is here! Please send your questions to ebonyivoryhelp@yahoo.com 70 A | Articles should be submitted to WANKAG, BE Campus Speaks is 3 new reoccur- ring column of the Lion's Eye fea turing editorials and opinion pieces submitted by faculty, staff and the] student body of Penn State Brandy- wine. Readership of the Lion’s Eye is encourage to submit their articles for publication. Anyone can submit! kab44@psu.edu Co People Poll with Caitlin Olszewski What do you love/hate about Valentine's Day? Lion’s Eye Staff Writer c005024@psu.edu Hannah Grinwis “I hate how it has become so commercialized.” a 8 a e “I hate how my mom is always my Kat Space “valentine.” Kraig Schwerin “I love the cheap chocolate the day after™ Day.” 3 cat.” Pat Scanlon “I dislike the Easter bunny about Valentine’s Tyler Dodge ~~ “I love having a candlelit dinner with my
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