It just goes to show that as a society we actually don’t value family or children. We are valued for our value to the economy, to make and spend money. Some Americans do value family, and make marriage and care for children a priority, but that is not a primary cultural value of the country as a whole.
Two examples, while working as an engineer, I expressed to a coworker/mentor that I wanted to have kids and stay home with them. His retort was outraged, “No Amy! Anyone can raise children, you can do math!” The second, twice while doing math tutoring at a middle school upon finding out I have an engineering degree the students asked me “Why are you here then?” Heartbreakingly, even the kids believe teaching kids is not a valuable contribution to society. My contrarian self thinks supporting children to make more contributing grown-ups is actually the foundation of our society.
It just goes to show that as a society we actually don’t value family or children. We are valued for our value to the economy, to make and spend money. Some Americans do value family, and make marriage and care for children a priority, but that is not a primary cultural value of the country as a whole.
Two examples, while working as an engineer, I expressed to a coworker/mentor that I wanted to have kids and stay home with them. His retort was outraged, “No Amy! Anyone can raise children, you can do math!” The second, twice while doing math tutoring at a middle school upon finding out I have an engineering degree the students asked me “Why are you here then?” Heartbreakingly, even the kids believe teaching kids is not a valuable contribution to society. My contrarian self thinks supporting children to make more contributing grown-ups is actually the foundation of our society.