tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959179775878119394.post7833483848389158312..comments2023-09-07T03:16:28.672-05:00Comments on Mythology and Milk: Memos From the Eye of the Midwestern StormSusanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08700838274754785164noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959179775878119394.post-38625410987406348942010-03-21T18:22:00.948-05:002010-03-21T18:22:00.948-05:00Oh, almost everyone I know says "hubby" ...Oh, almost everyone I know says "hubby" and I tease them about it, but don't bear any actual grudges :)<br /><br />I don't think I've ever seen Mystic Pizza! Perhaps it's good? I just loathe "Pretty Woman" & "Runaway Bride" & other similar-type movies. Of course, I'm not much for romantic comedies. My bad cinematic experiences have left me traumatized & now Julia Roberts horrifies me more than Freddy Kruger. <br /><br />Yes, I agree that the physical aspects of childcare are borne (forgive me, sometimes I cannot resist the pun) more heavily by the female of the species (certainly pregnancy, birth & breastfeeding exclusively so); however, why aren't the young women given the same option (to write a paper, for example) as the young men? And while the reality is that women--more often than not--bear heavier responsibilities, maybe it's because the men are often "given a pass." We've created cultural expectations that (sometimes) shut men out of enjoying nurturing their own children & it seems to me that it's to the father's disadvantage, too.<br /><br />Maybe I'm just feeling idealistic today. <br /><br />I know of many fathers who describe spending time with their children (when the mother is away) as "babysitting" & I find this very strange! It suggests they feel less invested in their own experience as parents. I wish this weren't so...Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08700838274754785164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1959179775878119394.post-71254820258441939222010-03-21T17:40:44.517-05:002010-03-21T17:40:44.517-05:00Please forgive me for liking Julia Roberts (spotte...Please forgive me for liking Julia Roberts (spotted her in Mystic Pizza and said to self, "Major star someday!") and saying "hubby" now and then in certain audiences.<br /><br />I, too, don't think the Japanese robot babies (or the American versions) will actually encourage babymaking. But who knows?<br /><br />The thing about the woman having to do more of the actual nitty gritty of childcare, however, rings true to me. We do. Most of the time. In some cases, I suppose, the man might do "equal time," as they say, but my experience of two natural childbirths & breastfeeding for 6years straight was that it was my body that was taken over, my time, etc. A willing thrill, but also very exhausting and sometimes frustrating. Often frustrating. I got help, but my entire self was given over and taken over, and I wouldn't want to fool any young woman that it would be otherwise.<br /><br />That someone else would legislate any of this, or make unfair school rules, seems wrong, as you say. But to think we can choose or truly equally divide the reality of it...well, I don't think it can be done.Kathleenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559881249054540947noreply@blogger.com