There is an article today (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/26/AR2005082601511.html) re: Francis Townsend, head of the Presidents terrorism office. I don't know her, don't know her husband, don't know her friends, etc. And, by writing this diary I am sure to open a hornet's nest.
And I don't want this to be a slamming of her specifically, although the article is the starting point, but rather a discussion of the policies and cultural environment that got her there in the first place.
Here goes.....
How can you not read this article and wonder, why did she have kids and who the hell is raising them? While not specifically mentioned, I doubt it is her lawyer husband. I am sure the Washington Post would have glowingly mentioned this amazingly wonderful "alternative" arrangment if it was happening.
Yes, I am absolutely sure she has an mature, educated,probably bi-lingual, nanny from some democratic nordic country (snark). And I assume she love her family dearly (no snarking).
More over the fold:
I continue to not understand, however, why people have children and then not spend time with them. And I am not talking about 24/7 or even part-time. I am talking one or two hours a day. I am the mother of a four year old. I am well aware that her schedule of working from 6:30 until 8 or 9 doesn't allow for playing with her kids, or even seeing them awake.
This situation doesn't have a particular political affiliation. I think it is more societial and cultural. Washington DC environment in particular. And gee, that's where the rules we all have to live by are made.
How do we as progressives change this or is it even something there is enough concensus about to attempt change? Having returned recently from Europe, I wonder yet again why they have managed to maintain a better balance and why we have not?