The Opposition…

Homeward Bound: Why Women are Embracing the New Domesticity

Emily Matchar

Discussion: 2013-Jul-Aug-Sep

Why we're reading this: July 31, 2013
[close] July 31, 2013

Find A Copy At

Libraries

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 3 topics — 3 comments total

2013-Jul-Aug-Sep

This topic has been closed to new comments.

* September 2013
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 32 views

last updated Oct 01, 2013 03:57PM

* August 2013
By Tiffany , WristStrong · 1 post · 26 views

last updated Aug 20, 2013 06:06PM

What Members Thought

Aug 04, 2013 Jennifer W rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction, fun-reads

I want to quit my job, garden, raise chickens, sew, make crafts, and bake. I'm not the only one. All over America, women are doing just that and more. What could be wrong with that? It sounds so wholesome. It sounds quaint. It sounds peaceful. In order to find out what's insidious about a turn back the clock mentality, one needs to look at why women are doing this. Could it be because we're not getting paid well? Could it be that we don't have sufficient maternity (never mind paternity) leave? C I want to quit my job, garden, raise chickens, sew, make crafts, and bake. I'm not the only one. All over America, women are doing just that and more. What could be wrong with that? It sounds so wholesome. It sounds quaint. It sounds peaceful. In order to find out what's insidious about a turn back the clock mentality, one needs to look at why women are doing this. Could it be because we're not getting paid well? Could it be that we don't have sufficient maternity (never mind paternity) leave? Could it be because jobs are expecting us to do more with less? Some blame feminists for this, and some think they are feminists for abandoning school and careers to stay at home. Some claim that feminists forced women out of the home when it's "natural" for women to want to be there. Many women choosing to make this lifestyle change say that it's precisely because they are choosing it that it is still in line with their feminist ideals. Oddly enough, they've swung so far left that those thoughts and ideals are lining up with the far right: women who say their place is in the home, or that the government is sending us into a socialist nightmare and people need to be able to fend for themselves when society falls.

The chapters on child-rearing, home schooling, and vaccine refusing were the most disturbing. Women are removing their children from society and it's just scary! They fear that schools don't know how best to educate children, that doctors don't know how to keep people healthy, and that strangers aren't to be trusted to watch or feed their precious babies. It's ridiculous! These educated, employable women are sequestering themselves and their kids. What are these people going to be like as teenagers? As adults? What is mom going to do when the babies go off to college? Assuming they make it that far and don't die of measles or whooping cough first! I'm certainly not saying to assume school will teach a kid everything, or that you should blindly trust the medical professionals, but good grief! Public school didn't destroy me. While I may have some minor medical concerns, annual check ups and vaccines seem to have done me more good than harm. I had *fun* being supervised by people other than my parents! My grandparents, my cousins, friends of the family, friends' parents all had a hand in raising me. I would say society's biggest ills right now stem from lack of community. For humanity's sake people: let your kids live!! OK, OK, breathe.

The author repeatedly points out that these choices are typically being made by white, educated, middle class women who have the time to want to bake or sew or garden for fun and enjoyment. Who can afford to stay home and keep their kids out of school. Who typically have working partners who bring in the money to keep this lifestyle going. As the breadwinner in my household at the moment, I certainly couldn't cash it all in and keep bees (though I want to!). As someone who likes my independence, I can't risk my financial future to someone else. Plus, I'd go batty staying home all day every day!

All in all, a very thought-provoking book. I initially read it because I do in many ways want to be "Homeward bound", but in many others, it's just not realistic. I hope these ladies that have made these choices are happy, and I hope that their lifestyles are sustainable. For me, those just aren't chances I can take at this time in my life. ...more

3 likes · Like · see review