Children smell bad.
October 24, 2007 – 12:15 pmA couple things on my mind today. Has anybody (in Utah) heard the referendum 1 (school vouchers) ads on the radio? I find them really irritating. It makes me wonder if there are options aside from “Yes” and “No” on the ballot. The logic the ads are employing is pretty ridiculous. For example, from the “Yes” side: “More money for public schools.” How? Seriously, how? Giving money that could be used for public schooling to people to use in private schooling equals more money for public schools?
From the “No” side: “…Teachers at private schools don’t need a teaching certificate or even a college degree.” How is that even relevant to the discussion? It’s not, it’s just a swipe against private schools and a misconception of what a teaching certificate is, a credential required only for teaching in government schools in Utah. The college degree thing is trumped up. Most private school teachers have degrees. The ones that don’t probably won’t be found teaching math, science, or English either.
The other thing is Julie Beck’s LDS General Conference talk. I know, I’m late to the game here, but I don’t pay attention to General Conference, so I have to catch all of the uproar second hand. I recall some complaints over at FMH about it. As I read it, yeah, I found a few examples of what I would consider an antiquated attitude of what women should do, like:
Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness.5 To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women.
Really though, aside from this and the children thing she said, it wasn’t that inflammatory of a talk. Kind of I’m tired of talking now. I think I need to go to class anyway. Why couldn’t Helen Keller drive? Sorry, sorry, I had to say that.
2 Responses to “Children smell bad.”
Actually, the statement about public schools getting more money is true. Schools (in Utah) get $7500 for every student. If a student gets a voucher, it’ll be around $3,000. For 5 years the public schools will get the remaining amount, approximately $3500 for each student who is now off at a private school.
And do people actually believe that homemaker smurf? Women can accomplish more than that in life. The thought of shutting myself in the house to practically be a slave to my husband and children makes me shudder.
By Jackelyn on Oct 24, 2007
Some of us really do believe that homemaker stuff. Adults smell bad, too.
By Rebecca on Oct 25, 2007