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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate the word 'juggling'?

19 replies

funnyvalentine · 10/12/2013 22:15

I've noticed that almost all women profiled in the media are 'juggling' stuff - babies, career, promotion, volunteering, activism, an international multimillion pound business, nail appointments, spa days, eating, sleeping, reading, getting dressed every morning... it's as though you can't be doing it right if you don't have things to juggle.

Strangely, it doesn't seem to be a skill that men need in this modern world.

OP posts:
Financeprincess · 10/12/2013 22:19

No. They aren't described as 'career boys' or 'working fathers' either!

MarshaBrady · 10/12/2013 22:24

Yanbu

Original poster
funnyvalentine · 10/12/2013 23:20

I don't like 'career women' and 'working mums' either, but at least those terms receive some criticism :) 'Juggling' seems like a much more subtle (and acceptable) way to undermine women. Like it's all a delicate complicated act that we're permanently on the verge of messing up. One false move and it'll all come tumbling down and we'll be back to the start.

OP posts:
sandfrog · 11/12/2013 02:34

YANBU. Men are never described as "feisty", "juggling" or "having it all", are they?

puntasticusername · 11/12/2013 02:51

YANBU.

"jugs", OTOH, is a fantastic word.

BratinghamPalace · 11/12/2013 03:02

Wow. Never ever thought of that before. From now on I am gaining to introduce my husband as a working father, describe as juggling a busy home life and career etc.
Can't wait! (Him being in the media an' all. Wonder how long it will take for him to cop it?!).

MammaTJ · 11/12/2013 08:03

Bratingham, we will need to be kept informed of reactions.

My DP does the majority of the child care. He works full time, the DC are at school full time, thet go to afterschool club. He has always done the geting them up and ready for school, putting them to bed, because I worked nights. I recently gave that up and started uni, so have been away during the week, I will be working long shifts.

My DS's teacher put a recent drop in DS's behaviour down to him 'missing mummy'. I did ask if she would have thought the same if it was Daddy away during the week. She had the good grace to look shame faced.

Original poster
funnyvalentine · 11/12/2013 08:19

Yes, report back bratingham :)

I know there was a recent study about the language used to talk about men and women in references, wonder if there's something similar for the media?

This quote about an 18 year old girl from the guardian was what made me think:

"juggling shifts in a call centre, babysitting for neighbours, preparing for university, while helping out with a campaign to encourage feminist societies in schools countrywide"

Ok, she is doing great stuff with the feminist societies, but the rest is just being 18!

OP posts:
CailinDana · 11/12/2013 13:52

Yanbu. Juggling implies a sort of clownish instability, if one more thing is added everything will go to pot.

BratinghamPalace · 12/12/2013 05:37

Did it. In the ensuing "debate" he claimed that women want to be equal in a man's world. He did say that. He actually said that! I swear he said that. He then tried to bluster through the "man's world" thing.

grumpyoldbat · 12/12/2013 05:59

It does feel complicated and I do feel constantly on the verge of messing up. Although that's probably because I'm considered responsible for everything.

HairyPorter · 12/12/2013 06:07

Doesn't life feel like a juggling act though? Mine certainly does, but it did even before I had dc. Maybe it's to do with multitasking and so we it as juggling with all tasks having equal weighting. Perhaps those less able to multitask (?men?) have to be more focused on one task at a time and are unable to juggle? Juggling is a skill, not necessarily a bad thing!

JeanSeberg · 12/12/2013 06:11

My DS's teacher put a recent drop in DS's behaviour down to him 'missing mummy'. I did ask if she would have thought the same if it was Daddy away during the week. She had the good grace to look shame faced.

I'd have gone ape shit over that comment and escalated to the head. Appalling that women can do this to each other.

JeanSeberg · 12/12/2013 06:12

Did it. In the ensuing "debate" he claimed that women want to be equal in a man's world. He did say that. He actually said that! I swear he said that. He then tried to bluster through the "man's world" thing.

It appears you married a misogynistic twat. My sympathies.

BratinghamPalace · 12/12/2013 06:24

Easy on JeanSeberg! Thoughtless sexism for sure but not misogynistic twat! I will however set a few traps in the next few days and will keep you posted on how he performs! (Tee hee hee).

MrsLouisTheroux · 12/12/2013 06:33

I have heard this expression most from women themselves used to make their life sound busy busy busy.

JeanSeberg · 12/12/2013 06:35

www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/misogynist

SatinSandals · 12/12/2013 06:40

The only people that I have heard using it are the women themselves, if they don't like it they shouldn't use it. I have often felt as if I am juggling because I do so many things at once. My husband tends to do one thing at a time. I see nothing wrong with it.

merrymouse · 12/12/2013 06:52

You can spot a young juggling woman because she will be roller skating when she has her period. Older juggling women carry a baby, a briefcase and a phone at all times.

Juggling men have balls or skittle type things and sometimes they are on a unicycle.

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