Autobiographical Corner
I'm back from a nine-day vacation in Alpena: the hub of northeast Michigan. Northeast Michigan is entirely rural, so its "hub" ain't much, but it's a neat place. It's the same size as my hometown (about 12,000 people), but it feels like a much bigger place because everyone within 50 miles comes there to work, shop, etc. My family has been vacationing there, at its cottage along Lake Huron, since the 1960s. Before that, the cottage was a vacation home for rich Detroiters (my Russian-peasant-turned-tool-and-die-maker grandfather bought the place in 1945, using his incredible savings from WWII earnings). It's a beautiful spot, with very little human traffic. I'll post pictures later this month on slow posting days. * * * * * * * Stories like this irritate me: "Babies don't suffer when mothers return to work, study reveals." Read the left-leaning article carefully. First strike: The researchers apparently set out with an agenda: "I'm actually delighted to have been able to disprove earlier studies." Second strike: The study was geared to get the result they wanted: "We just had to ask some different questions." Third strike: The study takes into account obvious-but-flawed criteria. Allow me a block quote, since it's important:
It found that, while there are downsides to mothers taking work during their child's first year, there were also significant advantages ”“ an increase in mothers' income and wellbeing, and a greater likelihood that children receive high-quality childcare. Taking everything into account, the researchers said, the net effect was neutral.
Alright, Sherlock. Increase in income? That's obvious. The mother's well-being? Okay, maybe, but I thought we were talking about the effect on the children (I know: but if the mother is happier, the child will be happier . . . get over yourself). And a "greater likelihood that children receive high-quality childcare"? I agree with that one, but it's hardly a compliment to the mothers who are out-shined by a childcare center. In short, the study would appear to be a wholly-disingenuous attempt to achieve a particular social/political goal (eliminating gender roles). Bottom line, the rules haven't changed: Each family needs to make their own decisions. There are situations when a working mother is best for a family, and there are childcare providers who do a great job (many studies have shown that truly top-notch childcare eliminates most of the shortcomings for children). It's not up to any of us to judge another family, but we don't need to encourage an arrangement that presents some legitimate concerns.
