A reminder Sonia, Mars is men's territory. Venus, even farther out, is for women.
I am not hounding you from one blog to another but you bring up a totally different subject; Delinquency.
Here you need to define delinquency. A tween that has a temper tantrum or a teen that has broken the law? Obviously there is big difference although I would concede that one may lead to the other.
As for the crass materialism I wrote about, you can't be so naive to know that many mothers work outside the home to add to the household income. To live in nicer neighborhoods, in bigger houses, drive nicer cars, belong to country clubs, have fabulous vacations, etc. This is especially true if the mother has a college education and a professional background. Also, this is not a bad thing at all as long as the children involved are not sacrificed for it.

That's funny. You're right we are from Venus. You're also right that I am not naive, far from it that's why I know you're wrong. But, I appreciate you responding and I respect your opinion.

Just shooting off the hip here, I am completely blown away by mgroothand's comment about working mothers doing so out of 'crass materialism.' This is the 21st century! I happen to be one of those college-educated professionals. I have also worked since I was the age of 15. Am I a career orientated individual - yes. But do I work out of a need for 'crass materialism? - no. Yes, our family is provided for. However, providing for your family also comes in many forms and it usually is not defined by a dollar amount. You can be the richest person in the world and still not be rich. I work, not because I have to and certainly not because I am so absorbed in having all the latest and greatest. I work because I choose to. I grew up in a stay-at-home mom environment, but it was also her choice to do so. My choice was not made because of peer pressure of what society says I should and should not do. My choice was made because I enjoy working. Do we have nice vehicles - yes; however, I kept the last one for 7 years. Do we have nice clothes - yes; however, Walmart would be my venue for shopping. Do we live in a nice house - yes; however it is almost 20 years old. (And there's light at the end of the mortgage tunnel). I could care less about belonging to any social clubs, and we don't have fabulous vacations. It's not about a social standing. Are there individuals motivated by materialism - Absolutely! There are individuals motivated by materialism even in single income households. But to stereotype that all working mothers are driven by it, is also in my humble opinion a very narrow minded way of thinking. It isn't about how much money you make, whether it's one or two incomes. It's about how the family is provided for, which comes in many forms. As long as there is love, then that's all that matters. And no, teen delinquency is not a by-product of working mothers. It's a by-product of parents who forgot how to be parents. By parents who forgot that they are the ones in charge. My husband and I consider ourselves to be strict parents. We know how to say 'NO' and STICK TO IT! and we know how to set boundaries and establish the guidelines. When those boundaries are crossed, then there are consequences. PERIOD! Usually delinquency carries the conotation of breaking the law, going to YDC, or something along those lines. A Teen that has a temper tantrum, just needs a good spanking. Now there's another topic for debate . . . . . . . . . . .

I said "many mothers" certainly not all mothers as you inferred I said. Then I said "it's not a bad thing" I also said as long as the children are not sacrificed. Crass is not a pleasant word, materialism is as American as apple pie. Possibly only the Amish don't practice that. I stand by those statements since I know them to be true.

It is really unfair to say that working mothers are not as good as stay at home mothers. There are mothers that have no choice but to work to just keep the bills paid. What about single mom's?? I was one during the time my son was growing up and he has turned out to be a very dependable adult.I wish I could stay at home and go to more of my daughters functions at school but I need to work to just put food on the table and keep the bills paid.

Actually Sonia, my comments were to RTK but I didn't specify that. Mea Culpa.

Hooray to RTK.........You are so correct.keep up the good work. I also know working parents who have wonderful teenage boys. IT DIDN'T happen by accident.

This is completely off the mark. Working mothers are free to work away from home in whatever job they wish. It has no real social impact on their teenage children unless perhaps if the mother is working extremely long hours. Never seeing her children could lead to delinquency. Of course there are other countless factors to consider such as if there is a father and if the father is working long hours also. I grew up with my mother working away from home a lot but it never had any negative impact on me. My mother and me have a very strong relationship too, we even went on a special holiday just the two of us together on mother’s day last year.