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IDEAL HOUSEWIFE OR UNEMPLOYED BUM?

Have you ever noticed how a simple job title can change your perception of someone?

For as long as I can remember, the happy ever after' lifestyle has always been the same. Every little girl will grow up to fall in love with and marry the man of her dreams. Of course everyone will have different expectations of what their ideal man will be. But speaking for myself it has always been the classic tall dark and handsome type with a good job. He would obviously be a good provider in all manner of speaking and support his wife in the care of their children, however that may be.

But what if this ideal man turns out to be something completely different or you just wake up one day and see him for what he really is, not to mention those unpredictable and life altering accidents and sicknesses. Whatever the reason, you somehow wind up alone with at least one child and no income.

Fortunately for some, they manage to live off a divorce settlement or have a trusted friend or family member to take care of their children while they return to work. That is of course if they are able to gain employment in the first place.

NOW HERE COMES MY OBSERVATION.

When women are married and are stay at home mothers, society seems to accept them without a blink. She is admired for her devotion to her husband and children, giving them all of her time and attention. She is seen as a model citizen raising the doctors and lawyers of the future. Nothing but praise is showered upon her for patients and seemingly never ending virtues.

In stark contrast is the woman who for one reason or another ends up single, unemployed and with children. This woman is judged as useless, lazy and unwilling to work. She is labeled as an incompetent mother and is thought not worthy of respect or compassion. Her children are judged along side her, looked down upon and treated as criminals in training. Some even say she should not be allowed to keep her children and should be sterilized to prevent anymore.

Although women from these two worlds may be doing an equally good job of raising their children with the resources they have, the finger will always be pointed at the latter, and the stigma of an unemployed single mother rests firmly upon her shoulders.

Don't believe me? Next time you meet someone new, introduce yourself as being in the other woman's shoes and see the reaction you get, the glimmer of respect or disapproval in their eye will be all the proof you need.

Learn more about this author, L.Sladders.
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