Deseret News | LDS women recount benefits of earning law degrees

Reader comments
LDS women recount benefits of earning law degrees

Tex | 7:40 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

My wife strongly feels that it will be, and will have to be, the women of Mormonism that finally stand up and push back misguided social theories that weaken families, that are advanced by so-called feminists.

I agree. I hope that Mormon women are just as educated and credentialed (and yet still more humble) as their counterparts in secular women's organizations, even if they intend to later stay at home.

Sceptic | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

Yes, but these women who have elected to stay home occupied seats in programs that are only open to a limited number of people. They may have replaced other qualified candidates who would still be practicing law. Why didn't they have the foresight to know that they were going to be SAHMs (stay at home moms)? There are many other women who are able to balance family and work.

This piece comes across as a PR story trying to make these moms feel okay about their choices and their church.

to Skeptic @8:44 | 9:46 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

A lot of women have every intention of working after receiving a degree but circumstances don't allow it. I balanced work and family until my circumstances changed and daycare wasn't an option anymore. Just because I am a SAHM now doesn't mean that I don't use my education every day of the week. Just knowing that I have my graduate degree is very empowering (Yes, I was accepted into a limited applicant program and took someone else's spot!). My daughters are empowered and are proud to say that mommy has a degree and they want to be just like her. Just because a woman chooses to stay home with her children shouldn't preclude her from occupying a seat in a limited applicant program. Maybe some of her counterparts should have studied a little bit more so that they could have had that chair instead of her.

It's people like you that make people like me embarrassed to live in Utah. Don't make a SAHM's place in the home, not the school. Get over yourself and accept that life happens and it is important for EVERYONE to have a higher education.

Comments continue below

A Man's Perspective | 10:09 a.m. Oct. 1, 2009

I agree with Tex - we need Mormon women to push back liberal feminism. Problem is, I am seeing mild forms of feminism creep into Mormon cultures today. Too many men push this feminist agenda by bashing manhood, the male gender, etc. Eventually, these mild feminist ideologies will become more liberal, I fear. Matter of fact, I will be surprised if my comments are posted here.

??? | 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009

What is wrong with women being feminists? Is it still a "man's world" and all the little women should be at home where they belong? Women are strong, compassionate, and intelligent. What is wrong with a woman working and successfully balancing work and family? Women can be anything they want to be, and are in every state except for Utah. When I left my job I was applauded by everyone in my ward and was told it was the "right thing to do". Right thing for whom? I am a terrible stay-at-home mom. I was a much better mother when I worked.
All I know is that because a woman has an opinion about something, it doesn't mean that she is a liberal feminist. Just because a woman works outside of the home doesn't mean that she is a terrible mother and the kids will grow up to be awful. It's time everyone put aside the stereotypes of women and the church and realized that this isn't the 1800's any more and women are allowed to have opinions and jobs. Seriously!

Skeptic not sceptic | 2:35 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009

Sorry, I miss-spelled my own name previously! Clarification - I suppose I am what people would refer to as a "liberal" feminist, and believe women should have the opportunity to pursue any education they want. Far too many women in Utah abandon their higher education dreams because they marry and start a family. While I am sure that women who have achieved post-grad. educations have benefited personally from their academics, I still think it is a shame when they drop their career aspirations to permanently stay at home. I don't have anything against SAHMs though, and understand that sometimes circumstances warrant staying at home.

As a feminist, this article rubbed me the wrong way. It quotes a woman who states her graduate education was great merely because now she commands respect as a SAHM. What? As a working mother, I think that our society would be better off if we accomodated mothers who want to work AND tend to their families simultaneously. It shouldn't be either/or (work or stay at home). However, it currently exists that way because too many women give up working since the workforce does not accomodate them as working mothers.

A Man's Perspective | 2:43 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009

???,

I didn't know Utah had rules saying a woman couldn't be what she wanted to be. If a woman is "strong", "intelligent", then I would think that the popular opinion wouldn't affect her, right?

I am opposed to FORCE the rest of society to accept so-called "equal rights" and the pro-abortion stance, and the continued slide to a "genderless" society that liberal feminism embraces.

"Taking a Man's Seat" | 5:08 p.m. Oct. 1, 2009

As a woman lawyer who practiced law for 29 years, I'm always amused when people criticize those women who don't use their law degrees to actually practice law. The fact is, many, many law students--both men and women--go into other fields after they graduate from law school. Raising children is surely as valid an occupation as running a business or some other entrepreneurial endeavor, and no one seems complain about the lawyers who chose those routes.

Anonymous | 2:36 a.m. Oct. 3, 2009

Women rule this Utah society and LDS faith. It's a joke. As a divorced, single father I get put through the ringer every time I talk with a church leader. I am hounded about child support, which I pay, yet there are no checking up on what is done by the ex-wives. Am I bitter...yep. Walk in my shoes for a few weeks and you will understand.

re; Anonymous | 2:36 a.m. Oct. 3 | 11:44 p.m. Oct. 4, 2009

Walk through your wife's shoes as a single mother that has to take care of the kids alone. Maybe she was at fault, maybe not. I have been a single father of 2 since 1995 with custodial custody. The mother walked out and hasn't payed a dime. I know first hand how it is to be the caretaker full time alone. I commend you for your child support, but it is not a women's state here. I fought for custody years ago and received the award because I fought for my kids! I proved that I could be a better care taker than their mother and have never regretted it! More men that fight for custody get the award now and are just as fit. Unfortunately, they walk away from the job because it is easier to pay child support than to work and take care of your children all by yourself, 24/7.

joy | 12:28 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

It just amazes me how one article about women attaining a higher degree of learning and choosing to practice or not practice in that field has led to a bunch of people whining about their own personal problems. If a woman or a man has the opportunity to receive a higher degree in any field then I say good for them. Congradulations! How they choose to live their life from that point is totally up to them depending on their own personal circumstance. Way to much judging going on here. If you don't like Utah then I'm sure the sinking state of Ca. would love to have you.

To: A Man's Perspective | 1:10 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

You say you are opposed to society accepting equal rights.

If you are against equal rights, then you, sir, are un-American. America is based on equality.

By the way, the definition of “feminism” is simply the doctrine of equal rights for women. Why do you seem fearful of that? Liberal means tolerant, generous, and believing in representational government as opposed to aristocracies.

"The Lord expects both men and women to increase their talents and use them," said Elder Carmack. I admire those who have earned college degrees. Congratulations to Nancy Stevenson Van Slooten for becoming the first female chair of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.

hhjean | 1:49 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

THis is exhibit #1--an article that promotes Mormon women achievement and, at the same time, supports the anti-feminist perspective. I work at a Catholic college. It is a joy to see young women unburdened by this kind of silliness. They take sports, higher education, careers and such for granted. Mormon women continue to struggle, re-tool and negotiate guilt. Others have moved on. I hope that Mormon women reach this place someday...even if it is a long time coming!

S2 | 6:44 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

I feel a lawyer joke coming on - something about filling those seats, then going on to other things, and limiting the numbers of practicing attorneys...

There is no waste of anything by attaining the methodical, logical and thorough training of a law school graduate. Neither is there any obligation to pass the bar, or hang out a shingle.

And there are plenty of very sharp, vastly intelligent, self-educated women who have never graced the halls of or fattened the wallet of educators and their institutions. While we are counseled to get all the education we can, as early as we can, there is nothing that says it must be accredited by some poobah, or that one must then be employed at or directly use it to become a cog, start a business or change the world.

I agree with Tex that our women, empowered and respected by reason of their virtue, confidence, and intelligence, are a force for change in every environment in which they put their hands and feet forward.

The Goal | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 5, 2009

The goal of education is not to get a job but to expand the mind. Being able to get a job and apply what you have learned is just a benefit of expanding your mind through education.

That being said, I applaud all thoughs who have extended there education no matter how they choose to apply it in their lives.

Congratulations!

J DUB | 1:16 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

This is a great opportunity for Mormon women to support their families. They can haul their butt to the office while hubby stays at home and watches the little ones. After daddy chooses to stray, due to boredom, internet porn and lack of mature conversation for many hours a day, mommy can pay palimony and child support too. Now that's equality.

A Man's Perspective | 1:46 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

To: A Man's Perspective | 1:10 a.m,

I am for equal rights between men and women: but we already have that today. However modern, liberal feminism is all about superior rights while hiding behind a victim mentality. I think its pretty equal the way it is right now. I don't have anything against the quote by Elder Carmack - I agree with it. But that is not the subject that I am against: liberal feminism, abortion, etc.

K2 | 6:01 p.m. Oct. 5, 2009

Anybody aware (or care to comment about) the fact that in reading callings to males to head a missionor stake presidency, overflow with all of his accomplishments yet his "right-hand man" (aka wife) gets only recognition for all her church involvements.
Do you think it just may be interesting to read/learn about/that she has a nursing degree, taught elementary school for 6 years, served in the military, was an exchange student to France, authored a children's book, played collegiate basketball at UNLV, qualified on multi-engine aircraft, managed a retail store, CPA, state chess champion, stock broker, etc. (did I miss anything?). And you seem to think the church encourages "education" (read as learning to be analytical, knowledgeable, prepared, worldly aware, etc.) and gives the recognition thereof?

Mormon Scholar | 9:21 a.m. Oct. 6, 2009

The author wrote:

"I have seen people's eyes change when they know I've gone to law school," she said. "They think I'm just a mother of four kids, then all of a sudden the respect comes into their eyes, it's like magic. If I knew that all I had to do was spend three years (in law school) to get that kind of respect for the rest of my life, three years was a small price to pay."

It is a shame that an LDS woman has to get a law degree to feel self-worth and respect.

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