I think there is a disturbing trend in our society to look down on marriage and motherhood. Perhaps a woman may still be esteemed if she keeps her maiden name and maintains her own career. But if she leaves her career by the wayside, becomes dependent on her husband as the provider, and chooses to be a stay-at-home mom, she is merely giving in to the sexist demands of a misogynistic society. Our society seems to put being a full-time mom as the least desirable job. It doesn't fulfill dreams, it inhibits them. Also, stay-at-home moms must not be well educated, or they would be pursuing a career. (This was the attitude I perceived during my liberal arts university experience - whether it exists in other parts of society, I can't really say.)

So first of all I have to say that some of the smartest women I know are stay-at-home moms. Secondly, for many women, myself included, being a mother is the best job they could ever want, their biggest dream. Finally, I think it is horrible for feminists to say that a strong woman has to demonstrate her strength outside of the home. I once heard in a radio program a woman talking about how stay-at-home moms are better feminists (I can't remember if that's actually how she put it). Her point was that a woman who uses her strength and independence to advance her career to the exclusion of children is using her strength for completely self-serving reasons. A mother, on the other hand, who uses her strength to teach and train her children, to sacrifice her time so she can give to them, is strong and independent and at the same time, completely selfless.

The Bible clearly states that children are a blessing from the Lord. For that reason, I don't think there can be a higher calling than to be a mother. And I realize that many women have to work because they are single mothers or even because the economy demands that both parents work. But overall, I just wish that we had a better perspective on children and motherhood. After all, the Proverbs 31 woman made linens and sold them in the market, but I think her first priority was her home. And for most of us, it doesn't take long for a job to consume us to the exclusion of our home, husband, and children.

So I think "women's lib" shouldn't mean we're free to try to act like men, but we're free to be who God created us to be: feminine, creative, intelligent, caring, and nurturing. So maybe I'll start a new movement, one that honors women who embrace their God-given abilities to be mothers.