I was looking forward to attending this year's Tikvah Institute on the topic of Women, Men, and the Future of Marriage in America (see here for more information). I had even started my application and essays (Yes, essays!)
However, despite the program stating that it is "geared toward religiously observant women" (ages 20-40) it does not offer any child care options. This is somewhat ironic since the program participants will be discussing the "lived experiences of fellow Orthodox women as they negotiate between traditional conceptions of family and the shifting demands of the secular world."
(One of the organizers told me that they will try to work to accommodate the needs of all women who are accepted in the program. However, there is no infrastructure in place to offer child care at this time - and it has not been offered in the past.)
In addition, from what I have heard, the program is all day and much of the evening as well so even if if reliable childcare was available, it may be challenging to leave one's children for three full days.
Of course, for single women, or those with excellent childcare or a spouse who can help out, this looks like a really interesting and unique experience. And - who knows? - maybe in the future they will try to accommodate the rest of us!
While I do know that my expectations may be slightly unrealistic, and colored by my disappointment about not being able to attend the conference, this experience caused me to think more deeply about the broader issues involved:
Do you think the community generally encourages and/or accommodates the spiritual and intellectual development of young mothers?
On a personal level, is there anything you have found to be helpful in developing the spiritual and/or intellectual aspects of self (despite the many barriers to doing so)?
However, despite the program stating that it is "geared toward religiously observant women" (ages 20-40) it does not offer any child care options. This is somewhat ironic since the program participants will be discussing the "lived experiences of fellow Orthodox women as they negotiate between traditional conceptions of family and the shifting demands of the secular world."
(One of the organizers told me that they will try to work to accommodate the needs of all women who are accepted in the program. However, there is no infrastructure in place to offer child care at this time - and it has not been offered in the past.)
In addition, from what I have heard, the program is all day and much of the evening as well so even if if reliable childcare was available, it may be challenging to leave one's children for three full days.
Of course, for single women, or those with excellent childcare or a spouse who can help out, this looks like a really interesting and unique experience. And - who knows? - maybe in the future they will try to accommodate the rest of us!
While I do know that my expectations may be slightly unrealistic, and colored by my disappointment about not being able to attend the conference, this experience caused me to think more deeply about the broader issues involved:
Do you think the community generally encourages and/or accommodates the spiritual and intellectual development of young mothers?
On a personal level, is there anything you have found to be helpful in developing the spiritual and/or intellectual aspects of self (despite the many barriers to doing so)?