Senior UK Politician Quits To Spend Time With Her Family
Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Transportation in the UK, announced that she would be stepping down from her position to spend more time with her family.
She has four children, all aged under 10. She’s been a Member of Parliament, the British equivalent of a member of the House of Representatives, since before her children were born. She said that “it had not been an easy decision” to leave the her position but she said it was time to put her family first. “It is time just to take a step back and repay [my family] for the support that they have given me over the years,” she said.
Which naturally makes me think of the most famous female politician at the moment: Sarah Palin. The mom of five, and soon-to-be Grandmother, will be our next Vice President if the Republican party wins the election in November.
Aside from my opinion on her political views (let’s say we disagree on many things) I don’t doubt that she has the capability to do the job as well as any man, and I have a lot of respect for her ability to be a Governor and a mom.
But how would she cope with an incredibly demanding job, and still spend any kind of time with her family? Something has got to give.
Maybe me, and everyone else who have commented on this, are all being sexist? No-one would think twice about the ability of a man with five children to do the same job.
I believe that women can do just about anything men can do, and I hope we have a female President or Vice President. But is Sarah Palin the right one? Her youngest son, Trig, has Down Syndrome, and if anyone is going to suffer, that five month-old baby is. He needs his mother.
What do you think? If Sarah Palin does become Vice President, do you think her family will suffer? How do you think she will be able to spend time on her job and with her family? And does it affect your decision of who to vote for?
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Secret Mommy says...
At first I thought the same thing, wondering if she could be our vp and a good mother, but I did soon realize it’s a sexist theory. Todd Palin seems quite comfortable in the role of primary caregiver for their family and I’m sure that role will only increase. It doesn’t seem fair for any outsiders to question her committment to her family. I say if it works for them it should work for us. I think she will make an excellent vp and is someone we can trust.
Melissa H says...
I agree with Secret Mommy. I think that it is a really sexist attitude to think that she couldn’t possibly be a good mother and the VP of our country. I am frustrated and upset by the number of people who seem to question that ability. No man would ever have to answer the same questions. Where are the feminists who cry for equal rights… oh thats right they are busy tearing her apart because of her conservative values. I think she is going to be an wonderful VP.