A new report by Save the Children ranks the top 20 places to be a mother and the U.S. came in 30th place out of 176 countries. Boo!!! I would say that means there is a lot of room for improvement. True there are WAY worse places to be a mother, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't improve the conditions where we live.
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Now I realize that in many ways, many if not most mothers in the U.S. at least have access to the basics and we're probably not as prone to dying from giving birth as women in developing countries are, which means that should give us a sort of advantage. So how is it that even with all our first world advantages we still manage not to come in higher on the list?
Here's what the study based on the rankings on:
- Lifetime risk of maternal death
- Under-5 mortality rate
- Expected number of years of formal schooling
- Gross national income per capita
- Participation of women in national government
All very important issues and I'm sure the report is intended to raise awareness, but what it did for me is to get me daydreaming of what a mother's utopia would look like. Now I realize that with cultural differences, one mother's utopia is not necessarily desirable for another, but I thought I'd share with you my version of a mother's utopia.
- Mothers would give birth with absolutely no complications in places that are beautiful, peaceful, and clean. No ugly hospital gowns required.
- If you choose to breastfeed, your milk would just come in without any issues, without you being terrified that you are starving your baby.
- If you choose not to breastfeed, not one single person says, "You know breast is best, right?"
- Instead of sleeping when the baby sleeps, the baby would sleep when you sleep.
- Medical staff would come to you for all checkups instead of you having to go to them. For crying out loud, let someone who just gave birth rest a minute!
- Your own mother would watch you taking care of your child and tell you what a great job you are doing and how she can think of nothing to criticize.
- Laundry would wash and fold itself or someone other than you would do it.
- Husbands (or partners) would understand and accept that a happy wife truly does lead to a happy life.
- Everyone would realize how truly challenging it is to be a mother and respect your efforts.
Doesn't it sound nice? I'm not asking for the impossible (except maybe the baby sleeping when you sleep). My mother's utopia is totally within the realm of possibility. Let's make this happen!
Image via Thinkstock
