A New-Old-Fashioned-Trend

So, for a long time I saw myself as one who would fit well in a Corner-Office-With-A-View-Museum-Curator-Position. I would have all these wonderful contacts, I'd get to talk art theory all day long, I'd get to have a real voice in the art world. Even now there is something alluring in the sound of that description, and I was pretty sure that my life would feel pretty much complete if I got to do something like that, as long as I had a husband at home who would do the laundry, and the dishes. I'd have to make enough so that I could have a nanny for my children, and make sure that we could afford to live in the best neighborhood so that the children could go to the very best of public schools, where they would have so many opportunities to figure out what they wanted to do with their lives. Because programs, and "those" people that teach our kids, are, of course, the best way of forming well rounded children.

This, of course, was before my Purple-Pilgrimage began.

Back in the days of struggling with my health, and finding out about major moral/health concerns about the birth control pill (see previous post), I began reading some books* that began to change my views on what I thought I wanted out of life. I started thinking about role reversal, and the concept of woman as provider, protector, nurturer, and basically doing all things both man and woman should be sharing. I had wanted the glitzy job, and thought baby sitting was far below calling, but quite rapidly I started thinking about what I would potentially be giving up.

Lets go back two generations.

Back around the time my grandparents were my age, or my ages equivalent back in that generation, things were a bit different. Lets just estimate and say my grandparents were all born in and around the roaring twenties. So, this generation lived through major historical difficulties early on in life: the Great Depression, the Second World War, etc. Things were tighter back then, financially. Once the depression was over, this "war generation" had to deal with the rationing of food, clothing, and other essentials that we so often take for-granted today. So when it came time to raise children, they were very resourceful. The men, without question, knew that their place was to provide for their family. The women found ways to make money, as well, but were for the most part at home rearing children. These were some of the most resourceful women ever. These are the women that knew how to knit, crochet, make the most out of a pound of meat, etc. Families ate at home. Mothers would make the most out of their families clothing, by mending socks and holes in clothing. Nothing was wasted.

The next generation grew up in these homes where things were tight, so when it came time to venture out on their own, this generation wanted to do more for themselves than their parents could have. This is the generation that is most associated with the redefinition of traditional values. With this came women who wanted to really make something of themselves and provide even more for their families than their husbands could, so we found women pouring into the job market. This made for a "higher-quality of living". They could afford two cars instead of their parents one car, and they could afford a bigger, cookie cutter house. Things were bigger and better for their children then when they grew up.

My generation was raised by these people. For the most part growing up in public schools, my friends parents both worked jobs. We grew up with nice clothes, and markedly more clothes then our parents had when they were growing up. We just had more stuff.

Every generation is known for something knew. One wonders what my generation will be known for as adults. Its too soon to tell really, but I would like to make a contribution to a new-old-fashioned trend.

This Purple-Pilgrimage I am on is markedly set on a few key ingredients.

1. Once I become a mother, a mother I shall be.
2. Resourcefulness is godly. I don't need lots of "stuff" to have a good life.
3. I will strive to raise up a generation of people that aren't materialistic, and know their God given role, and aren't afraid of that role.

The crying babies with spit-up clothes, the poopy diapers, weekly meal planning, and budgeting is where I find myself most called. Yes, I still see myself as someone with purpose, and yes I believe I will always consider myself and artist, and will strive to be in the "art world" as much as possible, but I don't see my achievements as the end all to what makes a great life.

Tune in next time for more on Womanly things.
Also--if you are interested in more Manly things, my husband has a blog and he is writing about Manhood this week.

*Radical Womanhood--by Carolyn McCulley, Womanly Dominion--by Mark Chanskey, Feminine Appeal--by Carolyn Mahaney