If Your Job Is Risky, Are You A Bad Mother?

by Dorothee Royal-Hedinger · 2009-06-25 12:44:00 UTC
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This week I was thrilled to learn that my good friend and fellow documentary filmmaker, Carole Snow Wefler, is competing to become the official blogger for Quark Expeditions and spend one month in Antarctica. A talented journalist, photographer, writer, and now a science documentarian for 137 Films, I couldn't imagine anymore more qualified or deserving of this position.

BUT, the one thing you have to understand about Carole is that she's also a mom. Why does that matter? After sending a friendly email to friends and family about the contest, Carole received several mean-spirited notes from people close to her, basically communicating that she's a selfish mom and irresponsible for entering the contest.

Not being a mom myself, I don't feel qualified to personally defend this accusation but Carole's story raises an interesting question: if your job is risky, are you less of a mother?

Judging a successful woman's mothering skills is not a new phenomenon. Female mountain sports athletes, in particular, are often probed about their "motherly instinct". For example, International award winning steep creeker Nikki Kelly became a mother last year and no one could leave it alone:

CM - How are you balancing a new baby and your kayaking career?

NK - No worries, I was in the USA competing with baby and partner four months after giving birth. All my sponsors except one still support me so nothing much has changed. I appreciate every moment on the water now, and kayaking gives me so much pleasure and in the end more energy for my son.

Kids don't have to change your life – it's a myth, they only make it better. I plan on traveling and kayaking as per normal and Sam will benefit from all these wonderful experiences.

I wonder if people are having similar problems with the numerous dads who've applied to the Quark Expeditions contest, not to mention the millions of parents who face danger everyday as athletes, soldiers, doctors, reporters and firefighters.

In a world where even driving to work or operating heavy machinery can be risky, do we really expect mothers like Carole to stick to "safe" jobs like being a teacher or secretary? If anything, I believe a child would be incredibly proud and inspired by a mom who follows her dreams and brings back stories about penguins and snow storms!

Vote for Carole here: Quark Expeditions/Carole Snow Wefler

Photo via Lapstrake.

Dorothee Royal-Hedinger
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