Saturday, March 7, 2009

Pondering "women's work"

Every time I read an issue of Piecework magazine I marvel at how women did things 200, 100, even 50 years ago. I love seeing the artistry and beauty these women put into even their simple everyday items. I think about how time consuming it was for them just to clothe their families-- and I complain about having to go to the mall for a few hours to buy new dresses for my girls! I don't have to cut and piece together and sew these dresses. I don't have to spin the yarn to make their socks or sweaters. Things were certainly more difficult, and yet sometimes I yearn for a little piece of that time. Things had more value, great care was taken because these things were not easily replaced. No crass comercialism, no cheaply made foreign goods... Don't get me wrong, I am glad that I needn't spend my life doing housework. Women can work outside the home and our society has taken great strides forward, and I'm glad for that. I do wonder about our "brave new world". Would we have the same societal woes, such as lack of personal responsibility, if people had to do more for themselves and work harder just to exist?



I just had to get that bit of philosophising out. Really, if you're never read through Piecework magazine, you should, it's fascinating.

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