Word of the Week: Motherhood

“I feel about as useless as a mom’s college degree”

- Kenneth Parcell, “30 Rock”


I’m a big fan of “30 Rock” and I can definitely appreciate the humor of Kenneth’s comment from last week’s episode. Nonetheless, I feel the need to address the all-too-common social attitude that makes it humorous.
There are two problematic ideas that ought to be straightened out in this case. The first is that a woman can’t enjoy a satisfying intellectual life once she starts a family. The second is that an educated mother who chooses to stay home renders her college degree useless when she opts out of a career.
Both of these ideas are completely unfounded. One need only look around campus to see mothers of all ages flourishing intellectually. USD is home to students as well as professors who enjoy motherhood along with academic careers.
Other moms stay home, but continue to thrive intellectually. Women with children have been known to contribute to academia through media like writing; and anyone who has spent copious amounts of time with young children can attest to the fact that little ones ask enough probing questions to keep even the sharpest woman on her toes.
There is no reason to believe that a woman’s degree would be useless should she forego the chance at a career. In fact, studies show that children of educated parents behave better and have more extensive vocabularies than their peers.
Even if a woman knew she would rather be a stay-at-home mom than pursue a career, it seems she could still benefit her children by earning a degree.
So why is educated motherhood such a taboo lifestyle choice?
Allow me to propose a hypothetical situation. Suppose a young man earns his degree and then decides to devote his life to the service of others, say in some impoverished country, without the benefit of a paycheck.
Would we look down on this man for failing to utilize his degree to its full moneymaking potential? Of course not! So why would we think less of a degree-holding woman who chose to stay home and compassionately serve her children?
In both cases, the degree holder has gained knowledge and skills that help with the daily requirements of his or her chosen lifestyle.
I’d like to offer my respects to all the brilliant women who daily choose to wipe dirty bottoms, kiss bruised knees and stimulate little minds. I doubt there is an occupation more stimulating and worthwhile than that of raising a child.