The whole Mem Fox controversy from last month reminded me of this….are we too quick to shout down people who tell us things we don’t want to hear? Or things that make us feel more guilty? I know I was outraged (and felt a bit sick) when I first saw this cartoon a few years ago. My latest Essential baby post is up now:
‘In 1995, legendary Australian cartoonist Michael Leunig published a
virtually identical criticism of working mothers in the form of a
devastating newspaper cartoon. It was called “Thoughts Of A Baby Lying
In A Child Care Centre” and it articulated the imagined bewilderment
and despair of a baby left in care.While the cartoon baby
struggled desperately to understand why it had been abandoned by the
person it loved most in the world (its mother), it loyally refused to
think badly of her.It was poignant and heart breaking. And it put into words the nightmare of every parent who has left their child to go to work.
Its
publication sparked an explosion of anger from feminists and working
mothers who felt vilified and betrayed by someone they had considered –
like Fox – to be an ideological ally…’.
You can read the rest here…
Top Comments
Any time, any place I would be MORE than happy to compare this cartoon that hurt some mom's "feelz" to the daily bombardment men and fathers receive from EVERY media platform in existence. Government funded no less. Care to try me?
If men don t like portrayals of them they should talk to the men in charge of writing, casting, funding and producing the media men make. Majority of power and money still lies with men, most advertising still funded and produced by men. Iinstead of unsuccessfully whatabouting, complain at those men.
Oh and seeing how this was the second response, I have my doubts this site will have the integrity to post it. I've noticed a tendency to not post dissent. So again, who is the fragile ones that can't handle criticism or differing thoughts?
I know I'm probably naive, but why is the issue of children in child care seems to be a women's issue? Why is it that mothers are the ones who feel guilty/are made to feel guilty if they put their children into child care? Why is it seen as solely a woman's decision? Why are husbands and fathers rarely ever mentioned in these types of discussions?
Why do we never talk about "Dave, about to be a father for the third time, is finding the decision about whether to continue working or to put his youngest into childcare a very difficult and emotional one. His mates are divided in their advice - some tell him how rewarding it is to stay at home and put all his energy into nurturing a new life, but others point out how satisfying it is to stay at work because it helps to maintain his self esteem and not lose his identity."