I must admit I was taken aback by the message myself.  I think that Dr. Bowman's root
concern might be better titled 'The unintended consequences of freedom visited upon the
nations today.'  In my mind, "freedom" refers in this case to the overblown pursuit of
individuality and independence to the neglect of human interconnectedness and
interdependence.  Women being allowed to pursue this ideal is not really the issue.  A
disregard for the resources that families and communities need to raise healthy
children is.  So is a general undervaluing of caretaking.  When feeling particularly
combative, I like to substitute 'caretaking' for 'children,' since that is the
unfortunate end result.  No one likes to admit that, but children are called
'dependents' for a reason.   

Katie

Quoting "Osterud, Dru" <[log in to unmask]>:

 Normally I enjoy Dr. Bowman's commentary and frequently agree with his
 premises.  This one, however, appears to have been written by an
 unreconstructed curmudgeon.  I hardly know where to start.
 
 First, single women may be mothers, so the issue is not "moot".  In that
 situation, the full responsibility for the support and nurturing of the
 children fall on the shoulders of the woman, unless there are extended
 family members willing to help. Many single mothers raise outstanding
 children.
 
 Second, since when is the responsibility for nurturing the children the
 sole responsibility of women?  Hello?  Are not fathers also responsible?
 If "children and family are destroyed," then both parents must be held
 responsible.  Are men who do not participate in nurturing "free?"  The
 parenting role of fathers is not an afterthought.
 
 What does "free" mean?
 
 It is sad that so many parents in this society do not understand
 nurturing and what is needed to meet the social/emotional needs of young
 children.  It should be a standard part of high school curricula.  But
 don't blame women who do not spend their full time nurturing their
 children during their early years for problems children face later in
 life.  Many factors go into that outcome.  Unfortunately, a good many
 children whose mothers were at home with them during the early years did
 not get what they need from either parent and end up alienated from
 their families.    
 
 
 Dru Osterud
 Minnesota
 
 -----Original Message-----
 From: Social Determinants of Health [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
 Robert C Bowman
 Sent: Thursday, August 02, 2007 3:53 PM
 To: [log in to unmask]
 Subject: Re: [SDOH] Quote?
 
 The unintended consequences of freedom for women are visited upon the
 nations today.
 
 The welfare of women and children remains one of the best measures of
 civilized society. The measure of the nurturing and child development
 experience is most likely the best, particularly when the focus involves
 the members of society that are most socially isolated.
 
 The concepts of freedom for women and the welfare of women differ.
 
 In the single woman, the issues are moot. When women become mothers,
 there is a different situation. Mothers will continue to find that too
 much freedom destroys children and the family.
 
 Women that provide a superior nurturing environment for their children
 for the early critical years, usually through their own efforts
 (although other cultural and financial arrangments can be made). Will
 truly be free in the future as their children are the most likely to be
 self-sustaining.
 
 Women that decide to impose their freedom at the cost of nurturing their
 children, run the risk that they will never be truly free.
 
 Economic desperation and survival may force alternative arrangements for
 nurturing, with the same consequences as too much "freedom"
 
 Fathers are not immune to these areas either. A world designed for
 maximal freedom with minimal responsibility does not help parenting.
 
 The stability of nurturing must be insured by at least one parent. In
 more and more instances the grandparents are being called in because of
 inadequate parents.
 
 Efficient, effective, and equitable societies (and families, and
 cities...) begin with superior nurturing. Efficient, effective, and
 affordable health care begins with adults who were nurtured and because
 of this make better decisions in life, in health care, in jobs, in
 education, and more.
 
 Signed as a parent of adopted children including some that were not
 effectively nurtured in the first months of life.
 
 Robert C. Bowman, M.D.
 [log in to unmask]
 
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