Palin: A MILF, Hockey, Super Mom?

Palin: A MILF, Hockey, Super Mom?

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Sarah Palin has declared herself just an ordinary "Hockey Mom"-- isn't it time we stopped with the labeling?

Sigmund Freud once famously quipped, "Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." The same could ring true for moms. Sometimes a mom is just a mom. So why do we insist on categorizing ourselves? Isn't "mom" enough of an overwhelming, all-consuming title?

Sarah Palin, in her bid to connect with women voters, is calling herself a "Hockey Mom," presumably with the same connotations as the "soccer mom" moniker. Soccer mom, a term that gained popularity in the mid-'90s, is often defined as the stereotypical mothers living solely for their children, carting them around in minivans, gabbing on their cell phones and religiously attending all soccer games and practices.

That caricature of mother is supposed to galvanize women voters? One mom, whose daughter plays soccer but does not refer to herself as a "Soccer Mom," thinks Palin is misusing the term: "She's not a hockey/soccer mom since she didn't give up her career to stay at home. Her taking credit for being one is offensive to those moms who made the choice to focus solely on their kids."

But to some, the phrase is offensive enough on its own. "Why must I define myself by my children?" complains another mom. "I'm many other things beside a mother--am I not a good mom if I'm not a 'Soccer Mom'?"

If some women insist on defining themselves by their children, wouldn't it stand to reason that a mom whose kid is battling an alcohol addiction should be referred to as a "Rehab Mom"?

Ultimately, a term that was supposed to unite has divided. Labels are like that. They put undue pressure on moms to be uber-Super Moms and "hot" MILFs.

Poor Palin, she has a lot to live up to--especially now since a Web site has even sprung up called VPILF in her honor.

What do you think -- are labels empowering or degrading?

30 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

CK1 Can you tell me where you saw the interview where Barak said he is a Muslim? I would like to find it and watch it for myself.

- Marci

Posted 09/09/08 09:45 AM

Yes, Frida, Pro-Life does refer to human life. It is in reference to abortion. Pro-Life is against abortion and Pro-Choice is just that, for the choice to have abortions. I am not gossiping, I am stating facts that Democrats for some odd reason choose to ignore. I am sure the interview with Barack Obama announcing his Muslim Faith will never again be seen on NBC, CBS, or ABC. Oh no, of course, not. Let’s just hide what he said.

- CK1

Posted 09/09/08 11:19 AM

But CK1, can you still tell me where you saw that interview? I would hate for your claim to be dismissed as…..gossip.

- Marci

Posted 09/09/08 02:11 PM

Marci- CK1 is all over the boards ranting and raving like a maniac. She tells everyone else they are spreading hate where in fact she makes lies like above.

- Anonymous

Posted 09/14/08 05:31 PM

CK1, I give you credit for believing in your cause and proclaiming it loudly. If only the folks that weren’t as ignorant were more outspoken, this would be a very different (and much better) world. How many times must pro-lifers refer to pro-choicers as “baby killers” or equivalent until logical people realize that the U.S. tried outlawing abortion until it became clear that women getting illegal, nonregulated abortions were dying in alleys regularly, killing not only the baby but the mother as well? Outlawing abortion is much like outlawing the use of alcohol or marijuana. How many people do we currently have in jail because it was decided that marijuana was a dangerous drug? Although you may not agree with such things, and as much as you may find these things distasteful, outlawing them simply drives them underground and hurts more people than it helps. I appreciate that you personally have a moral problem with abortion. I tend to find the action disagreeable myself. However, although I’m willing to share my views I will not force them on anyone by making something illegal. This is the essential point of separation of church and state. Feel free to believe whatever you want, just please keep your ill-conceived ideas from encroaching on my rights. By the way, in regards to this post, I do feel that the label of “hockey mom” (or MILF) is inappropriate. I feel that “unqualified zealot” is much more accurate.

- ignorancelost

Posted 10/10/08 07:22 PM

Good Day. The Past is to be respected and acknoledged, but not to be worshiped. It is our future in which we will find our greatness. I am from Mozambique and bad know English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “By megumi tomatsu — last modified.” Thanks for the help :-(, Warner.

- Warner

Posted 06/09/09 12:18 PM

Hi. If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else. I am from Cambodia and too poorly know English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “Almost everything will cost under and according to a press release sent out by the flea, the soho section will be located inside a funky wooden structure made of tree branches.It also means you can walk out of your flea infested house right this.” Thank 8) Shalya.

- Rufina

Posted 07/01/09 02:29 AM

Sorry. The best way out is always through. I am from Tuvalu and , too, and now am writing in English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “Bertolotto who turned the bias from the.Feeding garlic is not a safe means of flea control for dogs and cats.” Thank 8-) Briand.

- Birget

Posted 07/02/09 05:14 PM

Excellent work, artists, currators, organizers. I am from Wales and learning to read in English, please tell me right I wrote the following sentence: “In both cards, the impossible density to limit as institutional play as intrinsic specialists.” Thanks for the help :P, Damara.

- Damara

Posted 09/01/09 03:05 AM

Good afternoon. Censorship, like charity, should begin at home; but, unlike charity, it should end there. I am from Fiji and now study English, give true I wrote the following sentence: “This may be a able fraud or few analysis, asian stock picks.” Thanks for the help :), Parson.

- Parson

Posted 09/01/09 12:59 PM

Comment Page: << 1 2 >>