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Quote by Mary Blakely

“In a culture that gives men irresponsible power and women powerless responsibility, the advancement of civilization cannot be a serious goal.”

Quote by Mary Blakely

Book:American Mom: Motherhood, Politics, and Humble Pie

Work

American Mom: Motherhood, Politics, and Humble Pie

This book delves into the experiences of mothers in America, intertwining their personal journeys with broader political issues and the challenges of self-improvement. more

Author

Mary Blakely, born in 1948, is an accomplished author whose works span a variety of genres. Known for her profound insights and unique narrative style, her writing has gained her recognition and awards, including a Nobel Prize nomination. more

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“Families don't always realize that mother is exhausted, because mother is always exhausted. Exhausted is what looks normal.”

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“The truth invariably arrives several years after you need it.”

Needs Years Too Late

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“We are expected, somehow, not to offend anyone on our way to liberation. There's an absurd expectation that the women's movement must be the first revolution in history to accomplish its goals without hurting anyone's feelings.”

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“In an ideal society, mothers and fathers would produce potty- trained, civilized, responsible new citizens while government and corporate leaders would provide a safe, healthy, economically just community.”

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Book:American Mom: Motherhood, Politics, and Humble Pie

Source: American Mom: Motherhood, Politics, and Humble Pie

“Today, only a fool would offer herself as the singular role model for the Good Mother. Most of us know not to tempt the fates. Themoment I felt sure I had everything under control would invariably be the moment right before the principal called to report that one of my sons had just driven somebody's motorcycle through the high school gymnasium.”

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Author:Mary Blakely

“However diligent she may be, however dedicated, no mother can escape the larger influences of culture, biology, fate . . . until we can actually live in a society where mothers and children genuinely matter, ours is an essentially powerless responsibility. Mothers carry out most of the work orders, but most of the rules governing our lives are shaped by outside influences.”

May Children Matter Mother Order Culture Responsibility Our Lives Fate Influence Biology Dedicated Powerless Governing Diligent Mother And Child Outside Influences

Author:Mary Blakely

“However global I strove to become in my thinking over the past twenty years, my sons kept me rooted to an utterly pedestrian view,intimately involved with the most inspiring and fractious passages in human development. However unconsciously by now, motherhood informs every thought I have, influencing everything I do. More than any other part of my life, being a mother taught me what it means to be human.”

“In motherhood, where seemingly opposite realities can be simultaneously true, the role of nurturer invariably conflicts with the role of socializer. When trouble came as it surely must, was I the good cop who understood, the bad cop who terrorized, or both?”

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“With two sons born eighteen months apart, I operated mainly on automatic pilot through the ceaseless activity of their early childhood. I remember opening the refrigerator late one night and finding a roll of aluminum foil next to a pair of small red tennies. Certain that I was responsible for the refrigerated shoes, I quickly closed the door and ran upstairs to make sure I had put the babies in their cribs instead of the linen closet.”

Source: American Mom: Motherhood, Politics, and Humble Pie

“Spooky things happen in houses densely occupied by adolescent boys. When I checked out a four-inch dent in the living room ceilingone afternoon, even the kid still holding the baseball bat looked genuinely baffled about how he possibly could have done it.”

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Author:Mary Blakely