← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · Robbie
Thread ID: 11682 | Posts: 1 | Started: 2004-01-01
2004-01-01 01:20 | User Profile
Daughter: "Mom, why is the term "single mother" so common these days? I can remember years back I never heard of that term. I don't know about you, but doesn't that phrase sound funny to you?"
Mom: "It certainly does. What do you think it means?"
Daughter: "Well, look at it like this. If a mother is single, then where is the father? I don't know about you, but to me it means a woman having children out of wedlock. Illegitimite children. You know, like a whore."
Mom (laughs): "You know something, I feel the same way. You notice how these days they never mention if the woman is separated or divorced or widowed? It's always, "she's single". It's yet another experiment in redefining the American woman. It's so ridiculous."
Daughter: "Yeah, I know. I think it's all because of that 'empowerment' crap they keep shoving down our throats. Who are they to tell us how to be, or to think. You know, they make it seem like we're some different kind of species or something."
Mom: "I don't know about that, but I have to tell you; a lot of women have done a good job in making that a reality."
Daughter: "I know. But have you ever wondered what happens when the 'single' mother gets married again. Do you think society likes that?"
Mom (laughs): "Oh, only if she marries another woman, which she can do in Vermont."
Daughter (laughs): "Yeah, right; God forbid she marries a man."
Mom: "I know. This country has such a low opinion on men it's sickening. I mean, you know the reasons why my marriage with your father didn't work. He just had problems, and so did I. That doesn't mean that one of us is the bad one."
Daughter: "I know. So you would refer to yourself as a divorcee, then."
Mom: "I wouldn't go around flaunting it, but in society's eyes, yes I am one."
Daughter: "I prefer 'divorcee' to 'single mother'. It makes you sound like a whore."
Mom (laughs): "Thank you, sweetie."