Lo's Thoughts (on Motherhood/Education/Careers)

(me in Haifa, Israel- has nothing to do w/ the post)

In my recent quest to be readmitted to BYU, I've given a lot of thought as to my return to BYU and what will happen after I finish those 15 dang credits and graduate. I gave myself an ultimatum for deciding what to do with my life: spend a whole year off school in Monterey and decide what to do by the end of it. Well, its been 8 months and I'm still no closer to a decision.

 As a young BYU Cougar I was perplexed/outraged at how many Young Women stuck to conformist roles and majored in either A) Elementary Ed or B) Nursing. As I grew in my cougar years, I watched as my female peers "gave up" on dreams of Medical or Law school, finishing a Bachelor's degree (in the best cases) and then opting for a life of Stay at home wife/motherhood - and I was again perplexed/outraged.

Well, in my (partial)year of soul searching, I've come to a great realization: There is a reason women do this. 

1) The most important job women have is motherhood. For a lot of Young women this is a "duh". But for me it took a while to gain a testimony of. I'm a person who likes validation and recognition, and motherhood does not offer the same level of that (at least from the world) that say becoming a brain surgeon does. I now truly believe that I will find no greater fulfillment that when someday (in the far distant future) I become a mother.

 2) Women have time restraints. It is near impossible for a woman to attend school full-time (as is required for Law/Medical/Most post bachelorette programs) and fulfill her responsibilities as a wife and mother. So while men have the option to have a family while still pursuing education, women really don't.

3) Many women have to become the bread winners in their families at some point in their lives for a myriad of reasons (divorce, injury, death, or unemployment of spouse.) And when it comes time to step up to the plate, it is important that she not only have a degree, but skills that qualify her for the workforce. Such as Nursing or Teaching! It makes sense! A liberal arts degree (like mine) qualify one for... I'm not sure what? I still think women should pursue their interests, but also have a plan as to how their interests translate into a marketable skill.

And that is where I messed up. 

In this month's Ensign their is an article about a Single Mother returning to school to support her family. The church employment counselor laid out for her a few education choices: all of them with a terminal vocational ending. I hope I never have to be the sole income supporter for my future family. But I want to be prepared if I do. So, onto more contemplation on how to remedy my situation (I still have at least a several months left - no word from Cougarville). But to my younger sisters and others: Start out with a plan!