You’ve no doubt heard by now of the political flack over a comment made last week about presidential candidate Mitt Romeny’s wife’s decision to be a stay-at-home mom. The storm was raised when Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen questioned Mrs. Romney’s authority on economic issues based on the fact that she “never worked a day in her life.”
I can’t speak for Romney, but I do know this:
If Rosen thinks stay-at-home wives and moms don’t know about economic issues, she clearly has never met a military spouse.
We in military spouse land know all about the economics of the decision to stay at home. We know that it comes with a lot of pressures. We know that it is not always an easy choice.
And we know, more than anything else, that it’s not always a decision we make for ourselves.
In fact, military spouses are downright experts about certain economic issues because they stay-at-home. We have to be. Think I’m wrong? Let me showcase our wisdom.
We are experts on the job market. Spouses know that desirable jobs go to the most ideal candidate, and that all the good qualities in the world will not make up for the perception among employers that military spouses are flaky because they may need to quit and move elsewhere.
We are experts on underemployment. Many of us have college degrees but find the best job we can land is stocking shelves at the base exchange, a job that will not cover the cost of childcare. So we stay home instead.
We are experts on opportunity cost. If those of us who are parents decide to take that shelf stocking job anyway, there’s a good chance we are leaving our children to fend for themselves. Deployments, long trainings and other needs of the military virtually guarantee that our significant other won’t be a reliable option for homework help, meal making, sock folding or boo-boo kissing.
What other economic issues are you an expert in because you are a stay-at-home military spouse?
About Amy Bushatz
Comments
Amen, Sister!
Says the woman with the Master's degree going on an interview for part time temping work today!
good luck on the interview–something is, at least, SOMETHING. And you never know where it might lead.
YES, good luck!!
I'm an Army Veteran who was a paralegal, and I'm waiting to hear about a job at the Grade School my kids will go to next year to be a cook because it's hours will allow me to be there for them during my husband's fourth deployment. A job is a job at this point!
I'm all about rational choice theory, because even though I know marrying a military guy was gonna make it hard to have a career, I married him anyway (probably because he is a really great kisser.)
How about the economics of becoming an expert frugal shopper – coupons, local markets, sales flyers, buy used & save the difference, you name it… that's how I "make my money".
Oh, and my husband's comment about it… "They have FIVE BOYS!!! Don't tell ME she's never 'worked'!" (And THAT, ladies, is why I keep him. :) )
Oh please being a mom does not make her an "authority" on economic issues at all. Having kids is not a job its a choice. Is there work involved? Sure. And while being a SAHM is noble it does not automatically make one an "authority" on anything.
I didnt actually comment in the above post on Romney's validity as an expert or not. You'll note that ALL I talked about was military spouses as experts.
YES having kids is a choice also, we MOMS are raising the FUTURE GENERATION. Who will take care of you when you are older? Family? friends? for those who choose not to have kids that choice is theirs and I respect their decision. However, I sense some hostility in the tone of your response.
There is nothing wrong with working or staying at home. I have done both. I stayed home last 6 years and raised my son (we had 7 moves-5 states-4 deployments totaling over 3.5 years). This year I'm working full time in a professional position. I do have a masters, my son is in Kinder, and my husband has been absent about 4 months of this school year so far. I can tell you that I was busy when I stayed home. I can tell you that I am INSANE now. I don't feel like I leave my child to "fend for himself" though, lady, that's a low blow. I have given up about every single instant of personal time I have, but my
son still gets cooked meals, still gets read to, still gets help with homework, still gets played with, and although its not 2 or 3~he still plays one sport= I handle this. You can do it, the question is do you have to-and is it worth it? I have to tell you that I'm still debating that one.
Now that I have my first granddaughter, I can say that yes it is worth it family is everything if nothing else
I am not a military spouse however, I had to put my dream of being a nurse on hold until age 30 because my husbands career as a nursing supervisor made the money. I had to change hours for nursing school when a promotion came up for him. I had to work 11-7 yes the graveyard shift so that my children were sleeping when I went to work and oh yah my husband was working 3-11. I had to work full time 11-7 and then go to nursing school during the day did I mention I have 5 children? while my husband was at work, I sat down cooked meals, did homework with my kids then did my school work. Any stay at home mom or mom who works when kids are sleeping knows Being a mom is hard enough. Did I mention by the grace of GOD I passed nursing school the only full-time working mom of 5 in a nursing class of 78 students. I love our military and the spouses. Alo, after graduating from nursing, I was told by recruiter that unless my husband was ok with my joining then I would not be able to. Now I am to old to fulfill that one last hope of joing the military.
I'm a stay-at-home mother, Marine Corps spouse, a college graduate pursuing additional education for a portable career, and our family's "financial manager." I left a fantastic career after almost 11-years, making more than my husband at the time, to marry him and have found opportunities to volunteer and work outside my field wherever we've been stationed. My husband and I decided when we got married that I would stay home to raise any children we had, for the most part, until they went to school. This was a CHOICE that worked for OUR family. After trial by fire, I became an excellent money manager, but it took education. It didn't come naturally. I plan for the kids' education, our retirement, mortgages paid off and rental property income, investments and savings. With frequent moves, deployments and its fluctuating pay, overseas moves and those expenses, sports, schools, and advanced education…being a "seasoned" military spouse is the best credential I know of for the title financial matter expertise. We live with all those categories on which to become experts.
It is nice to hear of so many others. I am currently in the job hunting phase, but in FL, this economy sucks, not even an interview. Boo hoo what's what's, off I go to fill out another application. Does professional volunteer count as a job.