Drive By Bandwagon

Over at Ever-Fixed Mark, Denise posted a brief quotation from the New York Times about a book scheduled to come out this month that, from the sound of it, looks like a really lengthy drive by. Here's the excerpt Denise quoted from the Times article . . .

Next month, Hyperion’s sales force will begin marketing five titles to booksellers, starting with “The Feminine Mistake” by Leslie Bennetts, a contributing editor at Vanity Fair magazine. In it, Ms. Bennetts argues that women who ‘opt out’ of careers to raise children forfeit the financial, intellectual, emotional and even medical benefits of working outside the home.

[You can read the whole article here, but you have to register, and there may be a charge.]

As Denise responds, "I thought we had called a truce in the Battle of the Mommy Lifestyles." Apparently not, but you can read her complete response--That’s Why They Call Them “Mommy Drive-Bys”

I have to wonder who is the market for this type of book? It certainly sounds like it has a very clear agenda, and I can't imagine that many people who felt differently would be at all interested. And I don't think her audience is all mothers who work outside the home--or even the smaller group of mothers who work outside the home by choice. If the Times has characterized Ms. Bennetts' argument accurately, than I would say she's insulting all mothers. Every mother I know knows exactly what she's gained and sacrificed by making the decisions she has--and I'd emphasize that they make decisions, which is not quite the same thing as making choices.

Maybe it's just the cynic in me, but I assume Hyperion is publishing this book because they know it will generate press--they'll be able to book Ms. Bennetts on talk shows to serve as the voice of working mothers. The shows will book her along with someone who will presumably act as the voice of stay-at-home mothers, and it will all focus on the choices women make without delving into any of the real issues about parenting, mothering, and work.