To find this gender stereotyping offensive and want to say something about it?

[mamhaf]

The Mothering Sunday service at the church we (irregularly) attend replaced the sermon with a show by the Sunday School children. Most of it was heartwarming, but it started with the children acting out a "recipe for a perfect mother". The children came to the front, carrying various props - a can of spray polish and a duster; a saucepan and spoon; a washing basket. I'm paraphrasing, but the script then went something like: "take a lot of cleaning, mix it with hours of cooking and bucketloads of washing. Stir it well with plenty of love, and that's the recipe for a perfect mother." Ironically the reason we started going to this church rather than the one nearest to us was because our local parish priest opposed women priests at the time - and this one appeared more in line with our values. The new church has just appointed a full-time youth worker who helped organised today's service. I was horrified at the gender stereotyping, and dd bemused by it - she's never seen me doing much of the above (apart from the plenty of love). Am I overreacting? If not, should I have a word with the youth worker - and say what?

uuuuuurgh.

I would definitely have a word with the youth worker, and just say how totally outdated you think the thing was and how you don't want your child growing up with these dreadful ideas about women.

(But then I am a radical feminist who can no longer set foot in a church because I found this kind of thing happening far too often-is it a Catholic church btw? I think I remember the same crap being touted at me as a child in the 80s)

Ask them to give you the recipe for the perfect father, I'd love to know what they come up with.
It's pure Janet and John

I'd have a polite but firm chat with the youth worker and point out that possession of a penis does not prevent you from pushing a hoover...

It's an Anglican church. The youth worker would have arranged the service with the Sunday school teachers rather than on her own, and I'm a bit worried about offending them, especially as we're not regular churchgoers and don't contribute much effort ourselves (although I do give them a generous donatation via a give-as-you earn scheme).

donation (to the church), that should have been.

steinermum I seem to remember my catholic school giving us the odd talk about fathers: it was always totally economically focused i.e. 'be grateful that your father goes out to work and looks after you and your mum', and this was in the mid/late 80s. Unbelievable.

I would quitely ask them to add working outside the home and being a good provider to the list next year. You don't have to wear a pinny to be a good mummy.

Our church did a similar service, but keep on emphasising that Dads did these things too..

And that Mothering Sunday wasn't just about mothers as such, but also about all those that Mother (including dads etc)...

Was lovely to be honest, and whilst similar props were used (washing up gloves, nappies etc) I didn't feel any resentment to the message..

Just depends on how it was put over I guess..

trice, how are you? I keep missing you on here - please can you tell me whether or not you ever recieved my CAT?? Just a yes or no...I want to explain to you.

urgggggggggggh. and Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Talk about lack of effort, that poem's got to be from the 50's, I'm sure they could have found some much more appropriate poem with a little effort

FFS!

Uh huh.... I think they were talking about recipes for the perfect butler - how weird.

I would have a little chat with them. Emphasise that mothering a child is hugely complex and demands so much more than simply tending to a child?s physical needs. As a mother you find it very important to provide your daughter with a role model who balances many tasks- in the home, in the WORKPLACE, in the COMMUNITY and you didn't think the presentation represented that at all.
Invite the youth worker to tell you what they think a good Mum is...I bet they don't start on about cleaning!
Regardless they will get the point.

Good Luck