Motherhood

Press, 23 August 1984, Page 20

Motherhood

Sir,—l am afraid Catherine Glue’s appeal for society’s support for full-time mothers will fall on deaf ears. Raising children is regarded as one of society’s lowstatus occupations. This view is widespread, especially among the

intelligentsia, the better educated, and organised religion. Many of our teachers, having been ceaselessly told at university and training college that child-rearing is nothing like as important as being a sociologist or a computer expert, convey this attitude to their pupils. No wonder women say “I’m just a housewife,” and apologise to shopkeepers, librarians, coffee bar operators, and you name it, for daring to bring children into the sophisticated world of sociologists, physics lecturers, business executives and other people. Perhaps if more important things do not crop up, the odd church might run an hour a fortnight for full-time child raisers; but don’t bet oh it.—Yours, etc.,

NORMAN WILKINSON. August 21, 1984. ' ‘