I got an email yesterday from the Edwards campaign. I have been an Edwards supporter for a while, but this email gave me some hesitation. It was about the formation of a new group: Women for Edwards. It really bothered me on a very fundamental level... I just had one of those uneasy feelings about it. But, I couldn't really figure out why. So, I read and re-read the webpage for this group, and I thought long and hard about it. Then, I gathered my thoughts in writing and sent an email to the Edwards campaign about it. That email is below the fold.
As a prefix, I have been an Edwards supporter almost from the beginning of this campaign, and have joined One Corps.
The most recent action by the campaign, however, has given me hesitation. That is the creation of the "Women for Edwards" group. The formation of this group bothers me as a woman on many levels.
For starters, only two of the issues are specific to women, and those are at the END of the list. As for the other issues, yes, they help women, but they benefit men, as well. There was not a need to create a whole new group, a campaign within the campaign, if you will, to address these issues. I think it's wasting valuable resources that could go elsewhere.
Second, a couple of the issues seem to have sexist overtones. The one that sticks out the most is "Helping Women Balance Work and Family." I'm sorry, but that is incredibly offensive to any woman with a spouse. Women are not the only ones who should have the responsibility of balancing work and family. There are single fathers just as there are single mothers, and in a marriage/partnership, both partners should share equal responsibility in maintaining that balance.
Third, it seems a little ironic that one of the issues is entitled "Fighting Discrimination." By creating this group, it subtly implies the "separate but equal" meme. I grew up in a conservative household. Women were always separate from the men. We had no place with the men. Even at family gatherings, women were in the kitchen or dining room, while men were in the living room or outside. That's what this feels like. "Yes, women, you have work to do, too, but we want you to do it in a different room."
And finally, throughout the whole page on this group, the word "family" is stressed, as if a family cannot exist without a woman. But, I am a child care professional. I have seen many WONDERFUL single fathers who face the same, and sometimes more, hardships as single mothers face. I also know that two gay men can very lovingly raise a child. Those situations are just as much a family as ones that have women.
I know that now that this group has been put out there, it cannot be taken back. That's not what I'm asking for. What I AM asking for is that my voice on this matter be heard.
Thanks for your time and consideration on this matter.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kristen Lash