Comments on: Working Women Have It Tough

By: Cottontimer

Cottontimer — Thu, 18 May 2006 21:16:28 +0000

mdmhvonpa: My spam catcher got you! But I rescued you even if you are a measly man…. And I can’t think of two words that are completely opposite of what I am - pert and perky. ROFL. hehee

By: Cottontimer

Cottontimer — Thu, 18 May 2006 16:50:05 +0000

Mary: Aside from the fact the women in the study were of a different generation, there are always going to be exceptions to the rule when studying populations. That said, there’s definitely got to be a connection between the type of work we do and our health. Staying at home and working has its own hazards including higher BMI if (like me) a woman doesn’t make time to take care of herself.

You’re not doomed unless you choose to be!! If anything, a study like this should serve as a reminder to take care no matter what we do day in and day out.

By: Mary Tsao

Mary Tsao — Thu, 18 May 2006 16:37:57 +0000

That article irked me because I don’t want to think that I’ve given up good health just because I’ve chosen to stay home with my kids. I admit that it might be easy for me to slack on showering and wearing sloppy clothes, I do make an effort (and I love what Flylady suggests!) to get dressed in a clean, matching outfit with a bracelet or a pair of earrings. I even wear (gasp!) lipstick when I go out. These things help my mental health.

Plus, I exercise and eat right. Gee, I hope these things I do are working in my favor and that I’m not just doomed by virtue of the fact I no longer work outside the home. I just can’t believe that’s true…

By: Cottontimer

Cottontimer — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:55:20 +0000

Deb: Oh, yes. I didn’t read the actual study either (bad epidemiologist), but I can imagine there being a reporting bias to some extent. They did, however, have physical measurements so I think there is a connection between health and work status. In any case, our tendency to just let things go as stay-at-home moms might be true as well. That’s why I’m not going to buy crappy looking “house clothes” anymore!!! Flylady would be proud of me.

goldenlucyd: Thanks!! I’m sure you must think we’re a bunch of whiners. I know when my mom was my age, she had it much tougher!

LKeele: Hi!!! So happy to see you here! I’ve been doing my darndest to keep up with you too but sometimes sleep wins out. bah

By: mdmhvonpa

mdmhvonpa — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:48:45 +0000

I?m having a decent day so far, though?. How about you?

Ghaaaa! Shoot me now! Curses on your pert, perky mood and it’s blatent attempt to pull me out of my morose cumudgeonly ways. ;P

By: LKeele

LKeele — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:40:53 +0000

Hi, you! I finally figured out how to add this to my LJ.

I’ve missed you! I can’t wait to read your posts and catch up with how you’re doing in the UK.

–Lisa

By: goldenlucyd

goldenlucyd — Tue, 16 May 2006 18:16:31 +0000

I was one of the 1946 moms. Exactly, to the year. And yes, things were different in many ways—practically and in cultural expectation. But CTer put it in a nutshell. Life is a balancing act for everyone. And folks will generally try to do the best with where they are and with what they have. That’s the truth as I see it, at least. Good post, CTer.
lucyd

By: Deb L

Deb L — Tue, 16 May 2006 16:58:00 +0000

I only skimmed that article, but did they bother to factor in women’s need to “look good” when working an outside-the-home job? The pressure to look attractive, thin, fit and present yourself as healthy and productive is pervasive and strong in the business world.

I have a hunch though, that a lot of women struggle with self-esteem issues when they work solely as a full-time mom or housewife. There isn’t a lot of outside validation for the work we put into our daily lives, and for many women they don’t get validation from their spouses either. If you don’t have a reason to keep yourself fit and “put together”, then I think a lot of people will let that slide when other things require time and energy.

One of the tips FlyLady (www.flylady.com) gives (beyond keeping your sink shiny and clean) is to get dressed up including hair & makeup, every day. It really does make a difference in how you feel about your day, if you are in scruffy old junk with uncombed hair, or if you’ve put on something that fits and flatters, and spent some time to feel pretty.

By: Cottontimer

Cottontimer — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:13:52 +0000

Kate: Some days I think I’m trapped in The Feminine Mystique v. 2.

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 16 May 2006 15:01:45 +0000

Just blogged you.

1946 would also be “The Feminie Mystique” generation. I think that is pretty telling.