by cyranorox » May 30th, 2008, 3:53 am
I caution against teeter-totter antinomies; not this but that is the real whatever. It can often be neither.
That the workplace can be preferable to the home [in due proportion of the day] seems indisputable- in fact, most men do prefer it. For most office workers, and i have been one from the lowest levels, there is quiet, cleanliness, and order; somewhat limited demands, some formality of respect, and a sense that you could leave. Biggest, though, is the company of those who do not scream, barf, drool, drip snot, or throw things. All these, in the context of love, are tolerable, but a full day with a sick two year old is awful, even if there is no real fear for his life.
Teaching 'everything' is deceptive language, because it is largely teaching what we don't want to occupy ourselves with - basic management of the body and basic self control. Lessons are repetitive and difficult. Again, the rewards are great, but there are days it seems utterly miserable.
Many, if not most, women do choose this way of life; society should be arranged so that they prosper and so that as many as make the choice, can have it without disaster. But to over-generalize and say that women ought to so choose, which means saying that the women who dont want it ought to choose it, is quite wrong. Nor is it quite fair to attribute all refusals to selfishness or individual willfulness.
wRT professions with the shedding of blood---surgeons? tattooists? veterinarians? butchers? or soldiers? Some of these are suitable for men, perhaps even all.
WRT the English running away from their women - of course, about half the English are women....It's that bland assumption that English/Europeans/Etc are the men, that angers many women