I read an article today by Lowri Turner, its relatively old now in terms of articles, old news you might say. The long list of comments is quite impressive in seeing peoples opinions on the subject, some applauding her, others more appalled.
I find myself wondering if Mrs Turner still thinks this way, what kind of school do her children go to? I know full well I am a minority but I do see both sides and I still disagree. I have walked in to the baby morning to get my children weighed, I get the odd looks and very rarely one of the other mothers will make the effort to talk to me. Yes there are groups of mums that wear similar outfits to each other, have matching buggies or prams and spend their time talking about some serious drivel. But I have never been mistaken for one of them, they would never been seen out in the amount of black that I wear. I've been mistaken for an "emo", as stereotypes go, I feel I'm far to cheerful for that.
I've also been treated like a "scummy single mother with no braincells", only staying at home to claim benefits. So which one am I? I wonder where Lowri would put me. The fact that I am happily married stops me from being the "scummy single mother", if this offends me, I hate to think how actual single mothers feel about the whole "you're a single mum, you must be scum" label. I wouldn't class myself as a "smug stay-at-home mother" either, what with the fact that my buggy is not the right one, I don't drive a 4x4 (I don't even drive, and would rather not if I thought it possible). I'm even looking for a job, though my dream would be to make something of my art or my writing. So who are these smug stay-at-home mums, can she shame and name? No, that's too dangerous. She's obviously in a very middleclass area, because I've not met any myself. Most of them are far to normal and down to earth when you put your bias aside and talk to them.
I have tattoos, piercings, I love rock music, yes my eldest is whiney and whingy, but we've recently had a new baby and she's not so sure about her, not now she can follow my eldest around. But she says please and thank you, she says pardon me, and even excuse me when she breaks wind, although there's always the obligatory burst of giggles first.
So, where does that leave us? With the middle class mums and their unnecessary need for 4x4's (even I have to admit their pointlessness in a town, I saw 7 going into the local school just last week!)? With the scummy single mums? Or how about emo's? Hell, why stop there, I'm a benefit fiend trying to get into the horrid world of working mother.
Well lets just say, stereotypes suck, labels are useless and judging on appearance, or on occupation, just shows jealousy. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, if you don't like the way people judge you then don't judge them. I don't read the bible, but there is one line I will always agree with.
Let he without sin cast the first stone.
I've also been treated like a "scummy single mother with no braincells", only staying at home to claim benefits. So which one am I? I wonder where Lowri would put me. The fact that I am happily married stops me from being the "scummy single mother", if this offends me, I hate to think how actual single mothers feel about the whole "you're a single mum, you must be scum" label. I wouldn't class myself as a "smug stay-at-home mother" either, what with the fact that my buggy is not the right one, I don't drive a 4x4 (I don't even drive, and would rather not if I thought it possible). I'm even looking for a job, though my dream would be to make something of my art or my writing. So who are these smug stay-at-home mums, can she shame and name? No, that's too dangerous. She's obviously in a very middleclass area, because I've not met any myself. Most of them are far to normal and down to earth when you put your bias aside and talk to them.
I have tattoos, piercings, I love rock music, yes my eldest is whiney and whingy, but we've recently had a new baby and she's not so sure about her, not now she can follow my eldest around. But she says please and thank you, she says pardon me, and even excuse me when she breaks wind, although there's always the obligatory burst of giggles first.
So, where does that leave us? With the middle class mums and their unnecessary need for 4x4's (even I have to admit their pointlessness in a town, I saw 7 going into the local school just last week!)? With the scummy single mums? Or how about emo's? Hell, why stop there, I'm a benefit fiend trying to get into the horrid world of working mother.
Well lets just say, stereotypes suck, labels are useless and judging on appearance, or on occupation, just shows jealousy. You shouldn't judge a book by its cover, if you don't like the way people judge you then don't judge them. I don't read the bible, but there is one line I will always agree with.
Let he without sin cast the first stone.
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