Reply to The "village". Why communal child rearing doesn't translate easily to American culture.

Forum Index » General Parenting Discussion

Reply to "The "village". Why communal child rearing doesn't translate easily to American culture. "

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]I’n 46, & grew up in a small town in the Midwest- mostly working class families. There was absolutely a “village”- because most couldn’t afford NOT to have a village. The village- and relying on neighbors to some degree- was everyone’s safety net.

And it wasn’t just among women (most of whom worked FT for most of their lives, but at jobs rather than careers). A lot was expected from men as well. People generally did not hire movers, plumbers, repairmen etc unless there was absolutely no choice. This was all DIY with other friends/neighbors as necessary. Collectively it would be figured out. My dad did not only do snow removal on our own driveway, but for 2 elderly neighbors also. It was just how things were. No one was forced to do these things but most did.

Same for women in terms of juggling childcare, helping with moves or illness or checking in on the elderly. People just did it, and they felt obligated but certainly were not forced.

None of it was really a choice for most. It was just how things worked when most people had little money- and it was the main safety net for most. I’m sure people were annoyed with each other at times but as a child I did not generally notice. I’m sure it definitely was not always “fair” to everyone either- there were some deadbeat types in town for sure.

I think some of the “village” has gone away because people can afford to just….not deal with it. You can hire out exactly what you need done, and have it done exactly the way you like. Or more or less how you like. Including childcare. And it is “fair” in the sense that no one is obligated to do more than take care of their own family.

[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics