How Oprah Redeemed Herself

A few months ago I watched a really nasty Oprah episode, where she had a doctor on who was explaining all the intricacies of gas and diarrhea to her. Okay, it made me giggle and it was kind of interesting, but really. Oprah has really degraded the quality of her show I sadly thought. It was like watching a world-class journalist like Barbara Walters degrade herself by associating with the gossip show that The View has become. So I turned it off and figured that I was done with Oprah. This worked out better for my schedule anyway since when her show comes on is when I start getting supper prepared.

Anyway, I randomly checked to see what Oprah's show was going to be about a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised to see that she was having one of her discussion group-like shows about mothers and whether they decide to stay at home or go back to work. It doesn't really get anymore relevant for me than that! Minus the one stay-at-home Mom who blubbered on about the sacrifices she's made, "Like, I don't have a cell phone!", the women involved were well-spoken and successful. Everyone made really valid points and I especially connected with the one woman who had decided to stay at home and invest in her children. She said that she likes to approach motherhood as a profession and has goals and new ideas. She has been made to feel like she's somehow failed 'feminism' for making this decision, but she (who considers herself a feminist) thinks that being a feminist is about having the choice. She feels more empowered than ever, which is exactly how I feel.

The main trajectory of all the women was that they felt judged, no matter what decision they made. It's true - our society has a big fat opinion about parenthood and raising children. This is not a bad thing, but when we're all in this together, I would suggest that everyone be more understanding of other people's decisions! I have never thought for a second that I am being a better mother than a woman who goes back to work. It is just the right decision for me and I couldn't be happier.

Here's an interesting statistic if you didn't already know: the United States is only one of FOUR countries in the WORLD that doesn't have a national child leave program. Also, a woman that hires for a company blatantly admitted that they won't hire women that they suspect will plan to have children. She is a disgrace to the sisterhood. Hello people??! If you undervalue women procreating so much, who do you expect will carry on the business of populating the world??

Work together people. Work together.