On Palin

When McCain announced his VP choice it was a name I was already familiar with. I wasn't familiar with her due to her political positions or government experience. I was familiar with her because her fifth child, a son, born in mid April has Down Syndrome. I had read media reports on her after the birth, she mentioned how she knew early on about his Down Syndrome and she still chose to have him. Considering that many choose to terminate pregnancies when they are told Down Syndrome many in the DS community raved about her being a positive example of choosing life for her unborn.


I will admit that I asked myself "When will she have time". I'm a mom of five children as well, although hers range in different ages. I am a mom to a five month old son with Down Syndrome and I know the extra commitment one must put forth. Not one of my houses compares to the White House and being the first Lady of Mr. Man it is not as demanding as being a VP but I still can't find enough time in the day to do all that I want and need to do. I don't even work outside of the home and on many days I'm left feeling like I should be spending more time with my children doing one activity or another. I'm a mother and I think all mothers have these thoughts and feelings.


However after that initial thought I reminded myself that being VP would give her many of the advantages that moms who have children with Down Syndrome would kill for. She'll have a certified nanny who most likely has some experience if not a lot working with children with Down Syndrome. She'll have some of the best Pediatricians, Occupational therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech Therapists and special education. All of the things that us normal every day moms who have children with special needs just dream about. So unlike me, although I think I would be a great president forget VP, she would have more than enough help to perform her her role as VP if McCain is elected.


As a woman I had to bring myself back to the reality of all working mothers. If we start to question the ability of one womans capability of managing her career and her family life exactly where does that question lead us? Is it that she has a certain number of children? If than should all women who have a certain number of children be questioned on their ability to be a good mother and have a career? Is it that she has a child with DS? If so should we question any mother that works and has a special needs child? This would only add fuel to the voice screams abort when it comes to a diagnosis of DS. "See women with special needs children can't be good moms and work" Where do such questions end? Do we at some point question any mothers ability to be a good mom and work? This just tends to put us many steps backs when it comes to womens advancements in society.


Let us not forget that she has a two parent household, their children do have a father that lives within the home. We should expect that he cares for his family as much as the mother in the house does. We question the woman who works out of the home but never stop to think that children do much better with two parents in the home. We would never ask what happens to the children if it were a man for we would assume the mother would take care of it all. Perhaps we should all assume that her husband will take care of the family while she may have to travel the globe for elected duties.


I do think it is normal for any person to ask "when does she find the time" especially when there is a child with special needs within the home. I don't think there is anything wrong with a question however I do think there is something wrong limiting a woman in her choices because she has children, especially those with special needs. The choice of a working mom is her choice and the choice of her family. What works for one may not work for another and we can't impose one view on all for it simply doesn't work for any society.

This especially holds true in a country like America that chants about the equality of women and their right to choose. A society that has long held that women in the work place is needed and welcomed and at this point very much expected. For any to question the choice of one single woman, namely Palin, than all women within American society become questioned on their choices to work. And even though I don't personaly work I will support a woman's choice to work for it is a personal one within her family. Living in a society that has limited the roles of women, largely due to the argument she has children and should be at home, I can see the negative affects it has. So for those Americans who wish to question Palin's ability to work and have children, even with her last having Down Syndrome, should look to Saudi to see what affect such questions and limitations have and ask if that is the goal they are hoping to achieve.

One shouldn't choose to not support Palin because she is a mom just as one shouldn't choose to support Palin simply because she is a woman. Her ability to do the job isn't a question about her womb, it is a question about her political positions, experience, and plans for her country if elected. One should ask if they agree and support her ideals and trust her to not only be VP but possibly President. Rather than questioning her abilities simply because she is a mother.