If
you have been watching the news or morning talk shows in the last few days you
have probably heard about the controversial advice given by Sheryl Sandberg,
COO of Facebook in her book, Lean In. Let
me state here that I have not read the book; my knowledge of its contents comes
from those who have. What I do know about this book is that is the discussion
it has sparked. Sandberg is using this book to encourage women to assert
themselves in the workplace to level the playing field with men. Sandberg is of
the opinion that men rule the workplace as well as the world.
Whether
Sandberg’s are true or not, since the release of this book, I have heard the
topic of women’s equality with men revisited. I have heard career women state
that women can have it all; they no longer need to choose between a job and
family. I may be very unpopular for my next statement, but I disagree. I don’t
think women can have both. Now before you jump all over me for not defending my
sex, hear me out. In most cases starting a family and pursing a career demand
much of your attention and require you to begin either at a fairly young age.
You may argue with me here and say that you know of plenty of women who do both
and encourage you to do the same. I hope you will keep in mind that most of the
women encouraging you to pursue your career and further your dreams of a family
make more money than you and I combined, therefore are able to hire all sorts
of help to run their homes, allowing them to focus on their careers. Forgive me
for stating the obvious here, but do you really have it all if someone else is
raising your children? There are many women who must work, and there are some
who work at times that still allow them to care for their families and I am not
referring to these women. I refer to those who pursue careers at the cost of
their family.
This
writer is of the opinion that one of the main reasons our country has seen such
decline over the past few years is because women no longer have a desire to be
in the home. Our culture pushes the idea that being a housewife is not a true
profession. Society wants us as women to believe that the only way we can be
equal to men is by proving ourselves in the workplace. This is so far from the
truth. Men and women are not in a competition. Men and women complement each
other. As much as many women want to believe otherwise, we simply are not equal
to men in the workplace, just as men are not equal to women in areas of
housekeeping and mothering. Both sexes excel in different areas, which is precisely the way
God designed it.
The
Bible teaches that a woman’s place is in the home. Titus 2:2-5 states:
“That
the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh
holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That
they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love
their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their
own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”
The
majority of ladies do not realize what a blessing it is to assume the role of
homemaker. This is so sad to me because I know many wonderful ladies who would
love to take on that role, while so many others squander it away. Keeping a
home is not a walk in the park. Many people believe as Ricky did when he said
to Lucy…”Anyone can lie around the house all day.” Proverbs 31:10-31 provides a
job description for the position of keeper at home and proves that it is a full
time job that is to be taken very seriously. There is a great deal of truth to
the statement, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the
world.”
Being
a homemaker is one of the greatest blessings God has given women. Is it as
glamorous as being the COO of Facebook? Not quite. Your days are filled with
spit up instead of coffee breaks, dirty diapers and potty training instead of
board meetings, soccer practice instead of dinner dates with potential clients,
and bedtime stories instead of email correspondence. You will not get a raise because of your exemplary work. You will not get an award for being employee of the month. Despite the benefits that come with a postiion admired by the world, following
the steps of the virtuous woman is far more rewarding in the end. While I do not agree
with the religious views of Gordon B. Hinckley, he made a statement we should
all take to heart:
“Women
who make a house a home make a far greater contribution to society than those
who command large armies or stand at the head of impressive corporations.”
So you decide, who really has it all?