Dr. Laura, 

It bothers me how stupid and selfish so many women are today. I had one of the greatest moms ever. I was the last of eight children and my mom stayed home to raise every one of us. We were lucky she was not poisoned by feminist nonsense. And yes, you guessed it, we were deprived of many material things and could be considered to be poor. We were not poor in spirit, but we did struggle.  Dad worked as a laborer, making just enough money to keep a roof over our heads with light and heat. We survived on hand-me-down clothing from neighborhood families, and a benevolent Jewish grocer who allowed my mother to buy food on credit. We were on our own in getting college educations - five of us did. 

Dad supplemented his income as a drummer in a small band. And Mother made a little money as the church organist and music director. The 1940 Census listed her as a homemaker. And that was her most important job with so many children. Even in poverty she gave to other poor people. 

There are ways to survive, but you have to be willing to be unselfish. We did it. We earned money as soon as we were old enough. If you have a close knit and loving family, with a mother at home holding down the fort, it is surprising how good life can be. I am not saying it was perfect. You get accustomed to making sacrifices. And we learned to prepare for the future knowing we had to work for what we needed and wanted. We couldn't afford a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas, but we had plenty to eat except for those complaining times when my mother told us to fill up on bread. There are worse things than poverty especially if there is no love in the home or a child raised by strangers. I would live my life all over again if I had to. When I think of the word mom, I think of my mom, my wife and her sister. All three were real moms because they raised their children themselves and then pursued careers.

Stan