Child care is at times a necessity for working parent and is of the utmost importance. The range of child care varies amongst poor working mothers. Child care can consist of friends, families, strangers, and day care programs.
My wife and I are currently looking for child care for our 14 month old son. It is quite difficult to say the least. We have many of the concerns that are mentioned throughout the texts and readings. How much will it cost and is it financially worth having my wife go back to work given the cost of childcare? Is there family that may be able to help out? If we do use a day care or babysitter outside of our family are they trustworthy? These are all real issues that we have faced.
Luckily my mother will be able to care for our son when my wife goes back to work. My wife is going to work approximately 20-25 hours a week so my mother will only be watching the baby 1-2 days a week. We found this to be the most beneficial means of child care for my family. If we used an alternative means of childcare it would have cost more for my wife to work than to stay home and care for our child. I know many people do not have the luxury of family help and I have sympathy for them. It can definitely be a challenge. I am thankful that my mother is able to help out with the care of my child. The one to two days she can help give her time with her grandson while allowing my wife and I to provide a better life, financially, for our children.
I don’t think I would ever feel 100% comfortable with my child in a day care center. Reading the shocking regulation of 1 in every 5 year inspections of California day care facilities makes me for the love and support my mother gives to my wife and I.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Blog #5
Chaudry argues that “we are asking the less fortunate to strive and work harder, we are deeply discounting our public responsibility for the children born into poor families and disadvantaged communities”. These are powerful words that are very true. One video in particular provided information about the poverty line and stated that poverty level is considered $21,000.00 of income or less for a family of four. The video then went into detail about very common, not excessive, expenses that are associated with providing for a family. The picture painted was bleak. It seemed that nearly no money was remaining after just a handful of necessary expenses were paid for. This is a vicious cycle.
The video’s provided insight into this vicious cycle and poverty in general. The interviews that I watched were sad, but enlightening. I found much of the commentary to be shockingly sad. I wouldn’t say I was naive to the thoughts of the low-income families interviewed. I just hadn’t thought about the trials and tribulations that these people go through every day. Most of the people interviewed had very little education. They had dropped out of school at very early ages to help out with their family. Most of the reasons given for dropping out were to help support their family. I do not fault these people for this, as this is necessary for their survival. They need food, shelter, water etc…..and work is a means to these basic necessities.
Progression on these delicate issue’s of the working poor needs to be made. The readings and video’s prove that many people are overlooked and left behind. Our governmental systems seem to lack the compassion necessary to take better care of these people. Rome wasn’t built over night but our society needs to be aware of these issues. I am guilty of forgetting many of the problem’s our world faces. And I to faced many of the struggles that were mentioned in the readings and the videos…..It seems that I have blocked out those difficult times in my life, these reading’s and videos reminded me of where I came from, and the trials and tribulations that I have endured.
The video’s provided insight into this vicious cycle and poverty in general. The interviews that I watched were sad, but enlightening. I found much of the commentary to be shockingly sad. I wouldn’t say I was naive to the thoughts of the low-income families interviewed. I just hadn’t thought about the trials and tribulations that these people go through every day. Most of the people interviewed had very little education. They had dropped out of school at very early ages to help out with their family. Most of the reasons given for dropping out were to help support their family. I do not fault these people for this, as this is necessary for their survival. They need food, shelter, water etc…..and work is a means to these basic necessities.
Progression on these delicate issue’s of the working poor needs to be made. The readings and video’s prove that many people are overlooked and left behind. Our governmental systems seem to lack the compassion necessary to take better care of these people. Rome wasn’t built over night but our society needs to be aware of these issues. I am guilty of forgetting many of the problem’s our world faces. And I to faced many of the struggles that were mentioned in the readings and the videos…..It seems that I have blocked out those difficult times in my life, these reading’s and videos reminded me of where I came from, and the trials and tribulations that I have endured.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Blog 4
Family is first. I have a very close family, and enjoy dinners nearly every Sunday with my aunts, uncles, grandparents, parent’s, cousin’s and my immediate family. Family is a necessity in my life and I like to think I have a “good family life”. What constitutes a “good family life”? In my opinion many things do.
I think a good family life is happiness. Everyone can’t be happy all the time, but being happy most of the time makes for a good family. Other things that make for a good family life are understanding, balance, and compromise. Given the fact that not all people are alike one must be understanding. We think, act, and speak differently and understanding this principle makes for a better quality of family life. Compromise is another facet of family life that must be addressed. Other members of family have different points of view and at times when two people don’t see eye to eye compromise must be made. I find compromising a hard thing to do, but when looking back I realize that sometimes compromising was the right thing to do in the end. Balance is essential. I find balance the most difficult aspect of creating a good family life for me and my family. It is very difficult for to balance my work priorities with my family. Family is of course always first in my heart, but the constraints of monetary needs and priorities make for a catch 22. I need to make time for my family but working at times supersedes this idea because financially my family depends on my hard work and income to survive.
My wife and I constructively talk about good ways to make this balance work. As I mentioned in previous blogs the dynamic of her going back to work makes this issue a reality. Not only will I have to balance my work and family; my wife will have to find a common ground as well. Perfect balance amongst family and work may never be achieved. However, the pursuit of this perfect balance from me will always be a goal for me to strive for.
My current employer is by far the best employer that I have ever worked for. My work place is very family oriented and understanding when it comes to a family needs and obligations. There has never been any issue when it comes to my family and its needs. If someone is sick or an emergency arises, I have personal days available to me and if I need a day off all I have to do is ask. I have no complaints. I know this is not common place within most employment settings but I think if more employers were a bit more understanding when it come to personal issues; the world would be a lot less stressful place.
The United Kingdom shows that better work place practices make for stronger employee
morale, stronger work ethic, and less stress. This may be a sign. Compassion and understanding benefit all involved. The employer gets a more productive and understanding employee. And the employee is satisfied and happy with their respective employer. I don’t know if using the exact methods of the United Kingdom would have a positive outcome as our societies are two completely different animals. However, I do know that taken an impartial passive approach will most likely result in more of the same workplace practices.
All in all great support system both from the employer and from ones family will provide the optimum situation. Nothing is 100% fool proof but having positive enforcements both on the work and home front will help achieve balancing priorities. We have mentioned help and support from the home throughout this section, but in reading and watching videos for blog four I realize that positive work reinforcements can be equally as helpful and beneficial. Personal responsibility is a must as well. We must not sit by and passively wait for family, friends, and coworkers to balance our lives for us. We need to create our own positive destiny. We need to create change for the better. We need to take a step in the right direction and always peruse that perfect balance.
I think a good family life is happiness. Everyone can’t be happy all the time, but being happy most of the time makes for a good family. Other things that make for a good family life are understanding, balance, and compromise. Given the fact that not all people are alike one must be understanding. We think, act, and speak differently and understanding this principle makes for a better quality of family life. Compromise is another facet of family life that must be addressed. Other members of family have different points of view and at times when two people don’t see eye to eye compromise must be made. I find compromising a hard thing to do, but when looking back I realize that sometimes compromising was the right thing to do in the end. Balance is essential. I find balance the most difficult aspect of creating a good family life for me and my family. It is very difficult for to balance my work priorities with my family. Family is of course always first in my heart, but the constraints of monetary needs and priorities make for a catch 22. I need to make time for my family but working at times supersedes this idea because financially my family depends on my hard work and income to survive.
My wife and I constructively talk about good ways to make this balance work. As I mentioned in previous blogs the dynamic of her going back to work makes this issue a reality. Not only will I have to balance my work and family; my wife will have to find a common ground as well. Perfect balance amongst family and work may never be achieved. However, the pursuit of this perfect balance from me will always be a goal for me to strive for.
My current employer is by far the best employer that I have ever worked for. My work place is very family oriented and understanding when it comes to a family needs and obligations. There has never been any issue when it comes to my family and its needs. If someone is sick or an emergency arises, I have personal days available to me and if I need a day off all I have to do is ask. I have no complaints. I know this is not common place within most employment settings but I think if more employers were a bit more understanding when it come to personal issues; the world would be a lot less stressful place.
The United Kingdom shows that better work place practices make for stronger employee
morale, stronger work ethic, and less stress. This may be a sign. Compassion and understanding benefit all involved. The employer gets a more productive and understanding employee. And the employee is satisfied and happy with their respective employer. I don’t know if using the exact methods of the United Kingdom would have a positive outcome as our societies are two completely different animals. However, I do know that taken an impartial passive approach will most likely result in more of the same workplace practices.
All in all great support system both from the employer and from ones family will provide the optimum situation. Nothing is 100% fool proof but having positive enforcements both on the work and home front will help achieve balancing priorities. We have mentioned help and support from the home throughout this section, but in reading and watching videos for blog four I realize that positive work reinforcements can be equally as helpful and beneficial. Personal responsibility is a must as well. We must not sit by and passively wait for family, friends, and coworkers to balance our lives for us. We need to create our own positive destiny. We need to create change for the better. We need to take a step in the right direction and always peruse that perfect balance.
Post #3
Care-work is an interesting and dynamic topic. I personally believe care-work has had an impact on every family in some way or another. Care-work definitely plays a major role in my family life as it currently is.
My wife is currently a stay at home mother and home maker. She is amazing. She takes care of our children, keeps a clean house, and cooks nearly everyday. These are just a handful of the many, many things she does throughout her day. At times I find myself taking her work for granted. I sometimes forget just how much she does. I work outside of the home, essentially a 9-5 job, and usually arrive home exhausted and tired. She too gets exhausted and tired....rightfully so.
I try to help her out as much as I can and relieve her from her 24/7 job when I get home. However, this is difficult. My wife and I compromise the best we can when it comes to the "care-work" of our home and children.
My wife is getting ready to enter the work force due to some financial issues with our family and it has been quite a chore for her. We worry about who will care for our children, and our home while we are both working. There are many things from a care-worker's aspect that we will have to make sure get done. I have ensured my wife that I will help out as much as humanly possible while we make this transition. "Juggling Work and Care" have opened my eyes and mind to ideas and topics that I didn't know existed. The UK's policy of understanding seem to be a great idea. They are flexible and provide peace of mind to care-worker's entering the traditional work field. I believe similar programming in the United States would be an asset to care workers. I believe it would definitely provide a piece of mind to my family with my wife now entering the work force. I look forward to policy change in the work force. It may not affect me now, but a positive change from an employer's standpoint could benefit my children.
My wife is currently a stay at home mother and home maker. She is amazing. She takes care of our children, keeps a clean house, and cooks nearly everyday. These are just a handful of the many, many things she does throughout her day. At times I find myself taking her work for granted. I sometimes forget just how much she does. I work outside of the home, essentially a 9-5 job, and usually arrive home exhausted and tired. She too gets exhausted and tired....rightfully so.
I try to help her out as much as I can and relieve her from her 24/7 job when I get home. However, this is difficult. My wife and I compromise the best we can when it comes to the "care-work" of our home and children.
My wife is getting ready to enter the work force due to some financial issues with our family and it has been quite a chore for her. We worry about who will care for our children, and our home while we are both working. There are many things from a care-worker's aspect that we will have to make sure get done. I have ensured my wife that I will help out as much as humanly possible while we make this transition. "Juggling Work and Care" have opened my eyes and mind to ideas and topics that I didn't know existed. The UK's policy of understanding seem to be a great idea. They are flexible and provide peace of mind to care-worker's entering the traditional work field. I believe similar programming in the United States would be an asset to care workers. I believe it would definitely provide a piece of mind to my family with my wife now entering the work force. I look forward to policy change in the work force. It may not affect me now, but a positive change from an employer's standpoint could benefit my children.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Blog #2
I found our second blog assignment to be quite interesting. Patriarchy is a fascinating and complex topic which I believe all people have some sort of enlightening and personal information to share. Today I took a long hard look at my life, and what roles my wife and I play in regards to Patriarchy. My family falls within the majority’s view of Patriarchy. I work a full time job, and am the primary bread winner for my family. My wife is a stay at home mother taking care of the children, our home, and providing an organization to our family structure.
Is this a coincidence? Or is this just fact? Since I can remember nearly every depiction of the American family is just that. “The man makes the money and works a 9-5 job; while the wife stays at home, cooking, cleaning and taking care of the children”. I know I grew up learning this traditional type of family structure and am aware that many other people young and old alike have had similar upbringing.
Reading the texts and watching the videos can’t help but make one think about gender roles within society and how in the recent past has transformed the typical perception of such issues. The NPR news article shows that 5.7 million jobs were lost since December of 2007. And 4 out of those 5 jobs were held by men. The article also shows the disparity in men’s unemployment (9.45) to women’s unemployment (7.1%). The article shows disparity in wages as well. Women earn 77 cents for every dollar Males earn.
All of the information from this assignment proves that work and progress need to be made. Equal pay for equal work is an idea which America has sought to achieve for many, many years. I believe any progress is better than no progress. The increase in wages by which black African Americans women make is a testament to America’s progress up to this point. However, more needs to be done. The disparity within pay and the status quo perception of Patriarchy needs to be discussed and improved upon. The disparity gaps need to be closed. Healthy and insightful blogging is definitely a step in the right direction!
Is this a coincidence? Or is this just fact? Since I can remember nearly every depiction of the American family is just that. “The man makes the money and works a 9-5 job; while the wife stays at home, cooking, cleaning and taking care of the children”. I know I grew up learning this traditional type of family structure and am aware that many other people young and old alike have had similar upbringing.
Reading the texts and watching the videos can’t help but make one think about gender roles within society and how in the recent past has transformed the typical perception of such issues. The NPR news article shows that 5.7 million jobs were lost since December of 2007. And 4 out of those 5 jobs were held by men. The article also shows the disparity in men’s unemployment (9.45) to women’s unemployment (7.1%). The article shows disparity in wages as well. Women earn 77 cents for every dollar Males earn.
All of the information from this assignment proves that work and progress need to be made. Equal pay for equal work is an idea which America has sought to achieve for many, many years. I believe any progress is better than no progress. The increase in wages by which black African Americans women make is a testament to America’s progress up to this point. However, more needs to be done. The disparity within pay and the status quo perception of Patriarchy needs to be discussed and improved upon. The disparity gaps need to be closed. Healthy and insightful blogging is definitely a step in the right direction!
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