June 10, 2004 - 12:57 p.m.
Oh I was all keyed up to write this rant about how scandalized I was when I found out that magazines like "Family Circle" and "Ladies Home Journal" are called "Women's Service" magazines by advertisers. I was all, what the fuck!?!? That's so bald-faced, after all they are teaching women how to serve their damn families like a damn maidservant. I happen to have read them a lot growing up, there were always some on the coffee table.
At some point, too late to change it, I realized that my mom really did have a tough life. Because when she was growing up it was expected that a daughter would help her mother with a lot of the chores. But when I came along, post "sexual revolution" and "women's lib," I was supposed to be exempt from that kind of household bondage. I "could be whatever I wanted," and most girls, at least that I knew, just didn't have chores to do. And my dad, having grown up in the 30's and 40's, can't really wrap his mind around doing housework either. This left my mom working outside and inside the home with not a lot of help beyond the "Women's Service" magazines. I think everyone should read this history book: "More Work for Mother." I guess the book has some problems but essentially she's saying that every time "labor-saving devices" advance, societal expectations for housekeeping advance too. Not to mention that being a "just a housewife" these days is seen as shocking by most people; you are supposed to work full time and keep a creatively expressive, spotless showplace of a home at the same time. And have your kids in five different well-rounded activities. "Women's Service" is really right on.
But then Molly up and tells me that there's also a "Men's Service" category, including things like Men's Health. That the service word just comes from the magazines being a service to the men and women. Well, shit. I still found it thought-provoking to be confronted with.
P.S. Yes I do want a (damn) family.
