Democratic strategist Hilary Rosen struck a nerve – and rekindled a familiar debate – when she criticized Ann Romney in a CNN appearance earlier this week. “What you have is Mitt Romney running around the country saying, ‘Well, you know, my wife tells me that what women really care about are economic issues. And when I listen to my wife that’s what I’m hearing,'” Rosen began. She went on, “Guess what, his wife has never actually worked a day in her life.” Jennifer DeJournett, president and co-founder of VOICES of Conservative Women, is a stay-at-home mom. She says Rosen was right to apologize to Romney. Judith Warner, author of “Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the Age of Anxiety” says Rosen’s comments are being blown out of proportion. The debate over whether motherhood is “work” is an old one – but a persistent one. Why does it still hit such a nerve?
The story you just read is available to read for free because thousands of listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Every day, the reporters and producers at The World are hard at work bringing you human-centered news from across the globe. But we can’t do it without you: We need your support to ensure we can continue this work for another year.
When you make a gift of $10 or more a month, we’ll invite you to a virtual behind-the-scenes tour of our newsroom to thank you for being with The World.