Torn feelings over Palin's candidacy

I've been puzzling over my feelings about John McCain's choice for his running mate for several days now, as more details about Gov. Sarah Palin and her family life come to light. Like many women my age, who came to adulthood in the era of Gloria Steinem, Ms. magazine and the ERA, I have been waiting for the day when I could vote for a woman for president.

As the mother of daughters, I look forward to seeing them live in a world free of sexism, where they can truly be anything they want, including president.

With some chagrin, I'll admit that I've caught myself thinking that a mother of five might have more on her mind than running a country -- particularly when one child is a handicapped baby, one is headed off to war and one is pregnant as a teenager. She also has a bad ex-brother-in-law and a potential son-in-law who claimed on his MySpace page to be a "f--ing redneck."

Well, sheesh. If that was my family, I'd want to run off on the campaign trail, too.

Palin's daughter is a poster child -- literally -- for why abstinence-only messages don't work on teenagers. The hunky boyfriend trumped mom's message pretty thoroughly, didn't he?

Lucky for Bristol it's only a baby and not HIV disease, sterility-inducing clamydia or any number of other serious venereal diseases that can be the consequence of unprotected sex.

The public reaction to Palin's teen-pregnancy revelation makes me laugh:"Oh, well, this happens to millions of families. The American people will understand."

Uh, not really. Most parents of 17-year-olds do not, in fact, have to deal with pregnancy. It's neither normal nor common, thank goodness. It is, in fact, a problem. Bristol Palin, like Jamie Lynn Spears before her, is no role model for my two teenage daughters.

I'm sad that the Grand Old Party couldn't find a more qualified woman with a little less baggage to put forward as their vice presidential candidate. Call me elitist -- I'm sure someone will -- but I think Sarah Palin sets back the position of women in this country by decades. It's just too easy to look at her and think: "This is it? This is the best women have to offer?"

Thank goodness there are plenty of women and mothers like me who know that it is not.

POSTED IN: Politics (13), Teen (105), Vicki McCash Brennan (13)

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Comments

Well after reading this drivel, I'll probably never pick up another issue of South Florida Parenting magazine. How dare you??? The problem isn't with the pick, but your brand of liberalist feminism that YOU think defines what a good candidate, woman or man, should be. Would she get your vote if she had convinced her daughter to abort her baby? Or maybe if she had decided to abort her son Trig, then she wouldn't have that "handicapped baby". And only mothers (one of which I am) bear the responsibility and duty of having "more on her mind than running a country"? What about fathers? Why the double standard? It is women like you that kept me from ever adopting the banner of feminist, even though I am an outspoken businesswoman, mother, and former elected official. Your hypocrisy speaks volumes. I hope your daughters see out from your belief that a woman can't do it all. Maybe some women are just better at it than others, or have a different support system. Wasn't it the beloved Hillary who said, "It takes a village"? Or now that it is a Republican/conservative woman that is taking on a less traditional role, it isn't okay anymore? I'm proud of Sarah Palin - as a mother, woman, and American. I think she's a damn good thing to offer!

Posted by: Full time working activist mom | September 4, 2008 1:09 AM

The thing is, I do have mixed feelings over Palin's candidacy, and I do recognize my cognitive dissonance over my wondering whether a mom with five kids can handle being vice president.

Naturally, no one wondered whether Joe Biden should be in the Senate as the father of four.

And please let me clarify: I in no way ever suggested that Gov. Palin or her daughter should have an abortion. I would never suggest that for anyone.

Posted by: Vicki | September 4, 2008 9:16 AM

Thank you for your comments. I'm sure blogging and being honest will lead to heated discussions over all kinds of things, especially politics.
I've just become so incensed because it seems that Gov. Palin has been so slammed in the media - especially by women. I remember when Debbie Wasserman-Schultz had her twins while just beginning her career and when it was questioned, it was considered "sexist" and anti-woman. But here we are, a woman who will undoubtedly have a stronger support system and more help afforded to her, someone who already holds very high ranking elected office with those same children, and she's being attacked. Also, only 2 of her children are young. Her son is an adult, her daughters are 17(almost 18) and 15. I never had planned to work when my child was born, but changes in our financial circumstances and my husband's job made it a necessity. Do I wish I didn't have to? Sure. But I have also made sure to work from home when I am able (I am very blessed to be able to do so) and I also make sure I have quality time with my daughter every day. And in many ways we are all better off for it.

Posted by: Full time working activist mom | September 4, 2008 11:47 AM

WARNING! If you are the parent of a high school teenage girl, do not let her apply at Cold Stone Creamery in North Miami, or any Cold Stone Creamery, for that matter. Cold Stone Creamery and Kahala Corp disavow any responsibility for any SEXUAL HARASSMENT their franchise managers do. They claim that they do not have any responsiiblity as to what their franchises do or don't do. Since they have less employees - the EEOC will not be able to help you. The POLICE DEPARTMENT will call it "unwanted flirting".

Concerned parents - email all your friends with children who will be looking for jobs soon - WARN them. Have your children text their school friends and WARN them as well about working at Cold Stone Creamery in North Miami.

Wanted: People Who Know How to Have Fun! -BE CAREFUL - IT IS NOT THE KIND OF FUN A PARENT THINKS OF!

Call the people below and voice your disgust at their lack of concern for their employees! Especially, their young, unexperienced employees who don't know better! Good luck in getting them to respond to your complaints! Better yet - BOYCOTT COLD STONE CREAMERY!

Michelle Weistadt (480) 362-4303 - Kahala - Director. Human Resources
Roy Martinez (602) 614-8253 - Regional Director
Brian Richard (480) 296-8367 - Regional Director

Posted by: Kahala - I tried to be nice | September 6, 2008 10:57 AM

To ice cream parlor blogger,

You have too much time in your hands. Not that it is any of your business but I have two children. One worked at Cold Stone and the other one still does and she loves her job. This is a great first time job for any teenager. Maybe the employees may be "young and inexperienced" as you say but the parents/guardians are very experienced. Always seeking how to get money making accusations. Keep your personal issues to yourself. Teens who love to work at the ice cream parlor should not come across some sick blog like yours.

***GREAT FIRST TIME JOB***

Posted by: Shawqueena ~ full time mom | September 29, 2008 1:06 AM