21st Century bill of rights for mothers

Here is another example of women demanding further rights. This article appeared in The Times 20 May 2000, and refers to the Women's Practice website (off-site link), on which the author is described as a "psychologist and author of research". We give below an appraisal of her ideas for the bill of rights for mothers. Here is a quote from her website :

Susan Van Scoyoc is the clinical director of The Women's Practice with clinics in Harley Street London and Chelmsford Essex. She has been in private practice since 1981 and specialises in counselling women who face problems unique to women and their relationships. In addition to her private practice, Susan is an examiner for the Diploma in Counselling Psychology and sits on the Counselling Psychology Division committee for the British Psychological Society. Susan is also an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

Susan is a wife, ex-wife, mother, step-mother, daughter, grand daughter, cousin, niece, aunt, sister, and most of all, herself.

'Responsibilities' are generally for things, or for other people, or aspects of our own lives as they may affect others. In this 'bill of rights for mothers' there are 10 rights and 10 responsibilities.

Of the 'responsibilities', no less than 5 refer to the person themselves, rather than having responsibility for or towards others, and one 'responsibility' is even "to remember that your needs are more important than those of [others]".

But wait, there's more, and it gets even more interesting !

Rights

Of the ten 'rights', none apply uniquely to mothers. Eight have no specific relevance at all to being a mother, and could be applied to anyone, while the other two are only partly of relevance to being a mother.

One of the mothers 'rights' (#9) is "not to be responsible for [their children's] behaviour, actions ... or problems".

If mothers are not to be responsible for these matters, then who on earth is ? So one of the 'rights' of mothers is specific denial of responsibility for their children.

Responsibilities

Of the ten 'responsibilities', eight have no specific relevance to being a mother.

One of the 'responsibilities' (#5) is "to allow your chilrdren to be who they are". Apart from it being unclear what this means, it also seems to be more a lack of any responsibility, rather than a responsibility.

Nowhere is the rights of fathers even mentioned.

Acknowledgement : The Times 20 May 2000.

Comment : How many more demands for 'rights' can women make ? How perverse can their logic be ? What education have these women had ? We wonder if the author knows what the words 'rights', 'responsibilities' and 'mother' actually mean. Perhaps the reader can identify further nonsense, if there could possibly be further nonsense, and inform us.

21st Century bill of rights for mothers

- author Susan Van Scoyoc