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Mom’s Night Out Critics: Is Being a SAHM Anti-Feminist?

May 19, 2014

Several months back, I got a chance to preview the movie, Mom’s Night Out, which is still playing in theaters for a few more days. You can read my review about it here, but what I want to talk about today is the mixed and even NEGATIVE reviews it is getting from many critics. While not completely surprising since it was somewhat promoted as a funny chick flick but has a very Christian message, I can see how some might have been unpleasantly surprised in the theater. But to go so far as to call it “Depressingly regressive and borderline dangerous,” “Unabashedly anti-feminist,” with “Ugly sexism” and “Archaic notions of gender roles” – hold the phone, I have to take a stand!

What bothers me about these critics’ reviews is not what they have to say about the movie, but what they have said about MY JOB. In addition to being a tiny, unpaid mommy blogger and taking some very infrequent, small-time contracts for web and graphic design, my FULL TIME job is a stay-at-home wife and mother.

Do I have an old-fashioned notion of womanhood to want to stay home and raise my babies? Is my husband a sexist, chauvinistic or demoralizing man because his job is the one that pays our bills? Am I an oppressed and stifled nonproductive member of society because I have chosen to forgo my professional career in favor of a domestic one? Mama, please!

I take HONOR in my role, I am PROUD of my job and I believe with 100% of my being that what I do is vital to our future and more important than all the VPs, Fortune 500’s, fame and power combined in the whole, western world!

Now, do I believe that EVERY woman should be a stay-at-home mom? No way! I have several dear friends who have to work because their income is needed to provide for their families. I also know other moms who have very successful careers outside of the home and not only are they good at what they do, but they love to do it! Do I look down on them because they have chosen a different path than me? Absolutely not! In fact, I have learned many valuable lessons from my working mom friends. While they may work 40 or more hours away from the home, when they come back to their husbands and children, they are more present with them than I sometimes am all week long! Seeing this encourages me to be a better mom in the place where I am at.

So, here’s my punch line: I believe every woman is called to do what is right for themselves and for their families. And as such, we are accountable to no one regarding those callings except to our husband, children and our God, if we choose to serve one. Let’s stop pushing our ideals, notions and callings onto others. Let’s let women lead the lives they are convicted to lead no matter how simple or complex we think they are. And let’s support and encourage each other in those choices instead of slapping on hurtful labels and tearing each other down.

~~~~~

Mom’s Night Out is in theaters just through Thursday of this week. Get your tickets here and go see it today to show your support and tell the entertainment critic world that good, wholesome films about the domestic job we hold is NOT archaic, but is just as valid of a career choice for a woman to make as any other!

Moms Night Out Quote

 

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26 Comments Filed Under: Movie Review, Stay at Home Mom, Wynter Tagged With: anti-feminism, archaic, children, Christian, comedy, critic, egalitariam, Family, feminism, friend, friends, friendship, God, Home, love, marriage, mom, moms night out, mother, motherhood, mothering, movie review, Parent, sahm, single mom, stay at home mom, woman

Comments

  1. Jenerally Informed says

    May 20, 2014 at 5:12 am

    Couldn’t have said it better! Great job and I think I will need to go see if this movie is playing in my area.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 6:24 am

      Thank you for stopping by M2M! Yes, go see it!

      Reply
  2. Tracy says

    May 20, 2014 at 11:30 am

    Well said. Different strokes for different folks. We each have our own path and it takes all kinds to make the world go around. Thanks for boldness regarding those who don’t understand the world of SAHMs but more importantly thanks for your compassion towards all the mommas just trying to do their best in whatever situation the are in.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      Love you, friend!

      Reply
  3. saleslady371 says

    May 20, 2014 at 11:31 am

    I haven’t seen the movie, but I agree with you. Great post.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 8:10 pm

      Thanks! And thanks for stopping by M2M, I hope you come back soon for more mom stories.

      Reply
  4. Hazel Moon (@AJoyfulSound) says

    May 20, 2014 at 2:04 pm

    My mother was a stay at home mom, but she worked along side my dad when there were repairs, garden work, animals, bookkeeping, and three children to raise. I was fortunate to stay at home most of my young married life, but I did work for my husband’s business from the home. Honestly those who criticize must realize that there are many stay at home women being supported by tax dollars. I hope they are training their children to be productive and not blend into the welfare culture. Just a thought!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful post with us here at “Tell Me a Story.” At: http://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      Thanks for stopping by M2M and for leaving a comment. I have friends who like me are fortunate enough to have a husband with a job that allows me to be a SAHM and not depend on government subsidies, but I also have others who have chosen to stay home and raise their kids while needing some public help like WIC and EBT and I must say I would rather see them taking that support than some others that are REALLY abusing the system.
      Thanks again for visiting my blog and I hope you will come back for more stories of motherhood.

      Reply
  5. kelliwoodford says

    May 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the movie. It’s one I’ve been wanting to see.

    Good to see you at Unforced Rhythms, friend.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 8:17 pm

      Thanks for stopping by M2M and for your weekly blog hop! I love participating in it each week!

      Reply
  6. Laura Connell (@laurakimconnell) says

    May 20, 2014 at 8:28 pm

    I’m so glad you wrote this post! When I saw those negative reviews I realized it’s worse out there in “the world” than I thought. Stay at home moms are actually being attacked now for their choice to stay home. I read an interview where the director of the movie said he can’t believe he and his wife are being called offensive simply for living their lives. So unspeakably sad.

    Being a mom is a full-time job. It’s another lie of the culture to say it’s not. I really think our children are being hurt by lack of attention from parents who are too busy working. If you are living by the Bible it’s important to note that it is clear in Scripture that men are to provide for their families. Even working part-time for a mom is an option to consider. We need to cut back on material things in order to put our kids first and teach them a valuable life lesson about what’s important.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 20, 2014 at 9:52 pm

      Thank you for dropping by and for your kind words. Yes, motherhood and the home is very near and dear to the Father’s heart, but I think we must be careful not to let the pendulum swing too far the other way and begin to judge other mamas for not being home ENOUGH. We all do the best we can with what we are given and God has called us to different walks.
      Thanks again for your readership and I hope you will come back again soon for more mama stories!

      Reply
  7. dukeslee says

    May 21, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Preach it, sister. I still haven’t seen the movie, but am looking forward to going soon — if it stays in theaters a while longer.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 21, 2014 at 11:06 am

      Thank you for stopping by M2M! I’m such a huge fan of your Tell His Story and PreApproved/Love Idol ministry!

      Reply
  8. passagethroughgrace says

    May 21, 2014 at 5:08 pm

    We have a hard time valuing what people do today if it doesn’t align with how we do things or what we believe! Your post is spot on and I hope that the critics learn to listen and value what all people are called to do! Thank you for sharing this today!

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 21, 2014 at 10:57 pm

      Amen! Thank you for stopping by M2M and I hope you come back soon for more real mama stories!

      Reply
  9. tiffanyatouchofgrace says

    May 22, 2014 at 8:03 am

    This post made me want to go see the movie right not! Great post! Just because women choose to stay home and raise their children, doesn’t mean their anti-feminists! How completely ludicrous of those critics to say that! I wish I could stay home full time and raise my daughter, but I can’t right now. Hopefully soon though, because that’s what I want to do and what’s important to me.
    So glad you posted this!

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 22, 2014 at 8:13 am

      Preach it, sister! Amen! Thanks for dropping by M2M and I hope you’ll come back again soon for more REAL mom stories! Bless you!

      Reply
  10. Carie Spence says

    May 22, 2014 at 9:50 am

    I have always wished to be a stay-at-home Mom. My Mom was for part of my childhood as most of my friends are. I think it is a blessing to be able to do so and says nothing about your beliefs at all. Anyone who thinks it’s anti-feminist has obviously never stayed at home with kids all day! Ahhh….ignorance is bliss.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 22, 2014 at 10:54 am

      I agree! Thanks for reading and your support!

      Reply
  11. Mommy A to Z says

    May 23, 2014 at 10:19 am

    Well said! I work from home, and I think no matter what path you choose, it’s filled with challenges and rewards and is all about what works for you and your family. Found you at That Friday Blog Hop and following you on WordPress. Looking forward to reading more!

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:14 am

      Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment! Have great Memorial Day!

      Reply
  12. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    May 25, 2014 at 2:18 pm

    I really want to see this movie! Society puts a lot of pressure to put people into perfect little boxes. It drives me crazy. I love my choice of being a stay-at-home mom. This is the most rewarding, challenging, yet most awesome job EVER!

    I once heard someone say you should never use the term “just” when describing yourself or what you’re doing. You’re immediately putting yourself down. So when people ask me what I do for a living, I don’t say, “I’m just a stay at home mom” but rather, I say “I’m fortunate to be a stay at home mom of two extraordinary little people”.

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the SHINE Blog Hop).

    Wishing you a blessed day.
    xoxo

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      May 26, 2014 at 9:15 am

      Great perspective! I’m going to do the same thing! Thanks for stopping by and hope you come back for more mama stories, each week!

      Reply
  13. Whitney says

    June 5, 2014 at 11:06 am

    I could not love this more!!! I’m a new follower. I’ve been dying to see this movie but it isn’t playing where I live. I’ll definitely get it at Redbox.

    Reply
    • Wynter says

      June 5, 2014 at 2:04 pm

      Thank you for your kind comments today and your loyal readership! Bless you!
      ~Wynter

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Wynter. Wife to Jonathan and mama to Chloe, Adaya and Liam. I am a writer, artist, MarCom professional, freelance editor, and an avid gardener, TV lover and chocolate-covered cherries addict. Come back here each week for new, powerful stories of motherhood from real moms across the mother spectrum. Read More…

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