Moms Rising: New website for activism related to family issues

by Karen Walrond (Subscribe to Karen Walrond's posts) Apr 20th 2006 12:34PM

Yesterday, when I wrote about the new Pussycat Dolls, I was surprised (and, admittedly, rather heartened) to see that many of you were moved enough to consider contacting Hasbro and voice your displeasure about the new "toy." Given the activist state of mind many of you have, I know you're going to love learning about Moms Rising, a new website dedicated to family issues and promoting community.

With its clever Rosie-the-Riveter-esque logo, the site is dedicated to promoting family-friendly policies, like maternity and paternity leave, flexible work schedules, independent television rating systems allowing for parents to choose what their kids watch, and more.

Definitely worth checking out, and if you're so moved, signing the pledge. I'm off to do it now...

(...and thanks to Karrie for the tip!)

Comments (10)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

nikisma 4-20-2006 @ 2:04PM

A great new voice for mothers, and sadly necessary in the retrograde political climate we live (and attempt to work) in today. Read the Motherhood Manifesto and be inspired!

LS 4-20-2006 @ 3:28PM

I'm sorry, but this site didn't inspire me. I saw a lot of "government, please provide for me", and very little "this is how you can help yourself". For example, in one section, the site discusses the need for childcare for everyone who needs it. Who is going to pay for that childcare? Taxpayers. Aren't we taxed enough already? If the site was advocating solutions *other* than looking to government for yet another handout or favor, perhaps I'd be on board.

Sharon 4-20-2006 @ 4:09PM

Thanks for the site. I see a lot more potential in this than just looking to the government; how about starting more self-supporting orgs and more heads collaborating?

nikisma 4-20-2006 @ 5:19PM

You're right LS, it probably will be funded by taxpayers. That's how governament programs are funded. As a taxpayer I'd much rather fund universal affordable and quality childcare than the welfare programs and penal systems that are the dumping ground for the end result of our current system. Several Western nations see fit to pay far more in taxes and take care of their society's children because their citizens view it as a benefit for all. Unlike so-called citizens like you who figure 'I've got my ass covered, let the rest of em rot.' I guess you think the taxes we pay should go into something we can all use, like an oil war.

nancy 4-20-2006 @ 11:19PM

I think LS had made a good observations and was commenting as such. Obviously, there are many different takes on issues such as universal healthcare as well as universal childcare, and, what the proposed policies and taxation means for families as well. I don't think it was necessary, nikisma, to attack LS personally like that. Let this be a place for healthy debate... especially on issues related to family... and be free to think/write critically, without attacking the message-bearer.

nikisma 4-21-2006 @ 12:20PM

Nancy, I think that's what I was doing. I don't see anything personal in my response to LS. Apparently LS didn't either but for some reason you did. It's not exactly like I was calling LS a wife-beater or child molester, was I? And please allow ME the freedom to write critically without scolding me for doing so. Thanks.

LS 4-21-2006 @ 3:25PM

Well, Nikisma, you were wrong. I just now read your response to my comment, and feel your response personally. I never said the money should be used for an "oil war", and I am far from the "I have my *** covered, let 'em rot" person you think I am. I just don't think that the answer to everything is to look at the government to solve it for me. How about telling the government to keep their hands out of my pockets, so I can give that money to my church's daycare/preschool program? Or so I can KEEP the money and stay home with my kids? How about letting ME decide where MY children should go and how they should be raised?

I don't agree with welfare as it currently is, and I think the penal system in this country needs a GIANT overhaul. But the answer isn't to just throw more money at the problem. Money certainly doesn't solve anything, and it often causes more problems, not to mention corruption.

If this activist site causes people to motivate for change, then I say GREAT. I agree that there needs to be more awareness. But to just look at the government and say "fix it for me" is not the answer, and in my opinion, it's not the American Way. (thumping my chest in a patriotic manner :) )

And I'd like to say Thank You to Nancy for coming to my defense when I was away from this website. I agree that we can have a healthy debate on this issue without throwing daggers and getting personal.

nikisma 4-21-2006 @ 4:41PM

I absolutely agree that it should be about choice - your choice, my choice, and everyone's choice. However, some people, because of the lack of support from the government, do not have the choices that you or I or our more privileged classes have - they can't CHOOSE to stay home with their kids like you can, they NEED to work. And for these people, because our government puts absolutely NO VALUE in childcare,it's a choice between one substandard, underfunded, possibly unsafe childcare option or another. It is an indication of what our culture VALUES that our government is slowly opting out of Social Security and Medicare, just as it has excused itself from caring at all about how our future generation of Americans is raised. So if you are one of the few that has a choice, I say congratulations. And may you never find yourself on the other side.

LS 4-21-2006 @ 5:57PM

I see this from a different perspective. You should know that I made a choice, too. My husband and I worked for ten years after marrying so that we could afford for me to stay home with our kids. We made this choice so that I wouldn't NEED to work. And I get it - there are single parents out there, people for whom circumstances have not been kind. They have my sympathy, and when I can, they have my help. But my argument is this, and it's twofold: First, if people continue to look to the government for everything, they will never do for themselves. I'm not saying that we should completely eradicate programs like Welfare, just limit it - if you need a hand, fine, you get one. But you may NOT live on Welfare without end.

Second: we are taxed too much. Every time we turn around, the government has it's hand in our pockets. Some programs are ok, but others are just plain bad. Look at the state of Public Education. Kids are being taught "feelings", but can't add 2+2. It's scary and sad.

So I don't believe that the answer to all of this is government subsidized ANYTHING. I think the answer is to band together, raise awareness, and get our taxes LOWERED. Paying fewer taxes puts more money in your pocket. If you have more money in your pocket, you have more freedom to choose what to do with it. If you then choose to place your child in quality private day care, more power to you. Why is that so hard to understand?

nikisma 4-21-2006 @ 6:42PM

It's not that I don't understand, it's that I disagree. Quite a different thing. And we can leave it at that.

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