posted on May 8, 2001 07:13:16 AM
It seems in New York, according to an early morning radio talk show, there is a private school that has banned Mother and Father's Day from recognition. The reason given is to avoid the sensitive children of same sex parents from feeling slighted, or left out.
I suppose we could eliminate all holidays as being sensitive to someone, could we not? How about Valentine's Day. Those who have no mate feel sad, don't they? Christmas bothers the atheists. The child who doesn't have a President as a father, does he/she feel bad on President's Day?
What is the alternative for same sex marriages, and traditional families? Maybe a 'Mother/Father's Day'; 'Parent Day'; 'Embryo Day'; 'Guess Who Day'? I know, I am not sensitive enough. Create a holiday for my types, and call it 'Sick of Being Politically Correct Day'.
typo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[ edited by mint4you on May 8, 2001 06:18 PM ]
posted on May 8, 2001 07:22:32 AM
I'd ban Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day, Grandparents' Day, etc. in a heartbeat.
They're Hallmark holidays, promoted for no reason but to make money for the card/gift industry.
I can't stand the false sense of obligation created by these holidays/industries, and the subtle guilt trips they try to lay on you if you don't spend half your paycheck on candy, flowers, etc. The advertising campaigns begin weeks in advance, the sappy commercials on TV ...
posted on May 8, 2001 07:52:46 AM
That's the first positive stance that I've ever seen spazmodeus take on any issue. Today should be declared a holiday.
posted on May 8, 2001 07:56:35 AM
You know an interesting bit if trivia, the woman that started "Mother's Day" later became very opposed to it because of the commercialization of it. Anna Jarvis campaigned for Mother's Day to the point that Wilson made it a recognized holiday. She later filed lawsuits trying to stop it, and was arrested for disturbing the peace at Mother Day events.
Will I get my mother a Mother's Day plant? Will I get my wife a Mother's Day card? If you think I'll endure the mountain guilt for not doing those small gestures then you must think I'm a masochist.
posted on May 8, 2001 08:13:24 AM
Have you seen the cards for mothers day in the shops? I havent found one yet that fits my mother. Not all women were cut out to be mothers. Myself, Im with Spaz on this one. Ban it.
posted on May 8, 2001 08:38:21 AM
My seven year old came running off the bus on Thursday. He couldn't wait to give me a present he had carefully taped and wrapped the night before. He flew home from the bus stop, scooted up the stairs, and very lovingly handed me an interesting looking package. His eyes glowed while he eagerly waited for me to open it. Inside I found the best gift I have ever gotten in my life. He gave me one of his woobies, the red one. Better than any card, more loved by him than any of his other posessions. He wanted to share it with me!
I have slept with it next to my pillow every night since then. I'm sure it will still be around when he's off to college. Mind you, this is the "younger, independent, non-affectionate, ruff & tumble all-boy" son.
No Hallmark for me, thanks. No Special Day needed in May.
Tokens from the heart, lotsa hugs & kisses, floral weeds discovered on a walk, genuine thoughtful gestures ~ any time of the year, always welcomed here.
JMHO
posted on May 8, 2001 08:48:47 AM
The commercialism of these days doesn't bother me to much. You can go with it, or ignore it. Like I tell my wife, every year. "Why should I get you a card, your not my Mom?" But I do, of course.
I hate the commercialism of Christmas. They start it earlier every year. Last year I saw Christmas items at our local Wal-Mart before Halloween? Now that's commercialism, to the extreme.
I hear Hallmark is scrambling now to try to come up with something to fit the topic of this thread, to fit all possibilities. Spaz, maybe they should just be totally honest, and have a 'Commercialism Day'.
Those sappy cards and commercials make we wanna puke. If I could find a mother's day card that read What is a Mother? A Mother is someone who loves to tell other people, in front of her kids, that she thinks more of her pet than she does her own kids And that's not even the tip of the iceberg.
posted on May 8, 2001 09:00:48 AM
Hallmark isn't the only one making money from Mother's Day. It's one of the biggest days for florists, and what about brunch? Brunch is $25.00 a person, and the restaurants are packed.
posted on May 8, 2001 09:35:01 AM
well now.....call me stupid!!!! Do what you want to do. Buy a card; don't buy a card. Buy flowers; don't buy flowers. I don't think this is the point of this thread. Is it???????
posted on May 8, 2001 09:43:22 AM
I hear you mint4you - This 'politically correct' garbage is getting ridiculous. I couldn't believe it when last Oct. my little granddaughter's first grade class couldn't have a 'Halloween' party - it had to be called a 'Fall' party. jeeesh ........
On the other hand, I still can't stand all the hype for many of these holidays - just a way to try and make a person feel like a heel if they don't go out and buy flowers and cards.
[ edited by bobbi355 on May 8, 2001 09:45 AM ]
I don't think this is the point of this thread. Is it???????
No, it isn't. But it is hard to separate the two when it comes to what the holidays signify, and the trappings of them. It was the constant changing of anything to be 'politically correct', that originated the thought to post about that topic. Commercialism just came in the back door. As the originator of the thread, I have no problem with covering the two. I hope I'm politically correct in doing so.
posted on May 8, 2001 10:21:10 AM
Can't speak to the excess of sensitivity in NY schools. Regarding commercialism, as soon as Hallmark comes up with the "Bad as you were, you weren't Susan Smith. Thanks, I guess" card for Mother's Day, I'm buying.
posted on May 8, 2001 11:16:22 AM
I guess I could print up one on my pc. I like that one about Susan Smith, lol. Last card I got my mom was for her birthday years ago. Simple and to the point: "Happy birthday, you old goat". She was not amused. But I sure the hell was.
posted on May 8, 2001 11:26:13 AM
I'll echo Spazmoudeus's sentiments. Holidays have long since become Big Business in this country. While business has always played a part in any holiday in the Western World, America seems somehow -obligated- to completely trash the meaning of any holiday and replace it with Free Enterprise.
posted on May 8, 2001 11:50:26 AM
It is the celebrant who celebrates by giving gifts not the reciever. Please feel free to send gifts for all holidays of all religions and ethnic groups if you need to do that to observe your special day. I will thank you and wish you enjoyment with no qualms of conscience. However for the few pagan celebrations like Halloween where the observers force gifts from others with the threat of a "trick" watch out - I might have a trick or two myself.
posted on May 8, 2001 12:19:19 PM
sorry, HEP!
A woobie is not available to the general public. You see, woobies cannot be purchased, they must be created.
I'll start from the beginning:
When a baby really loves his blanket, it becomes a blankie.
Receiving endless hours of comfort from this "piece of bed linen", only the original owner holds the powers of transformation. Original owners must have the article in their posession a minimum of 10 hours daily, beginning from under age one. Some children are capable of creating more than one of these. My son is one of those powerful beings.
The bond with/fondness of this material creates what is easily recognizable as a woobie (the untrained eye might pass it off as a ratty piece of cotton and threads).
I am now the proud owner of a genuine, much loved, kinda pink but once was red, woobie.
To translate:
I am loved.
That was a beautiful story, the giving of the woobie. Very touching. The gift of something someone loves is very heartening to receive. When from a loved child, or friend, is ten fold. You must have felt so proud to know your child has such a big heart. You have done a great job as a parent, you have given your child the ability to share their love.
Respectfully, it brings to mind my son. I was out of work for two years, (pre-college days). My son, 16 at the time, inherited my Chevy pickup. We customized it, and I painted it to please his tastes, (four colors, much work). He loved that pickup. He came to me one evening with the keys to it, as I figured out how to pay the bills. Told me "Dad, if you need to, you can sell my truck". My eyes watered at that.
posted on May 8, 2001 02:11:22 PM
{{{mint}}}
You brought a tear to my eye, too. Moments like that are really what being a parent is about. IMHO, anyway. No matter how many mistakes I've made, the affirmation of "getting it right" means more than any Hallmark card.
You've done a good job with your son. He's a very lucky boy! Pretty cool gift, huh?
