To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

Our Prime Minister recently demonstrated the true depth of his patriotism. Nina Funnell recounts a meeting with Mr. Rudd in which he decried the failure of the younger generations to procreate, failing to fulfil their patriotic duty. (1) According to her article, the falling birth rate will place pressure on economic stability as our population ages. He even had the temerity to offend the journalist when he indicated that ongoing advancement through personal study was little more than an excuse for not having children and one he was tired of hearing. This is the brand of chauvinism that Napoleon’s loyal Nicolas Chauvin gave his name to, (2) one that puts country before the self. In the case of Mr. Rudd, it shows a disregard for the choices and rights of women to determine their own path in life, a fundamentalist male chauvinism.

You would think he would have learned from the recent verbal gaffs of his opposition counterpart, whose recent comments about women doing the ironing (3) made bigger headlines. Why is our PM not subject to the same degree of scrutiny and critical female appraisal as Mr Abbott? How is it that this hasn’t been reported as widely in all forms of media?

The most disappointing issue is that on both sides of politics, this country has male chauvinistic leaders at the helm. A pity, given our deputy PM is a nonparous double degree holder (4) who has made politics her life and who, in the past denigrated the very same attitude from opposition MPs. (5) It is interesting to note that the PM “…would not be drawn on Mr Abbott's remarks’ in the January 28 article.

Why is it that a man with ambition is portrayed positively, but a woman is seen as a “ball-breaker”? Even the GOFA confessed that he thought that of me when he we first crossed paths. He rapidly learned that whilst practicality and independence are among my strengths, I can still be kind, generous, sensual and contemplate the possibility of children … assuming the biological clock still has enough spring left.

Ms. Gillard is entirely correct; it is about choice and what may be right you or me may not be for another woman. (6) In Australian Story (7), she implied that life had simply never provided her with a suitable life long companion. She seems never to have felt the need to marry. Really, she is to be commended for not following the crowd, for not marrying simply to fit in and potentially winding up in a relationship that would have been less than committed. As one who was inadvertently spared the disaster of an unhappy marriage whilst in my twenties, believing in the fairytale of marriage, I admire her stoicism and honesty. The dream isn’t everything that is painted to the child. It’s downright hard work and if your heart’s not in it, you shouldn’t be getting married just to pop out new little Australians. Such a social attitude would only promote a higher divorce rate, leading to more pressure on the family law courts, mediation, child support agencies and single and supporting mothers’ benefits.

The seeds of the sexual revolution of the 1960s were sown in the 40s. Women had to support their families and work in factories while their husbands realised that the ‘War to End All Wars’ had been a fallacy. Returning incapacitated and shell-shocked, or perhaps not at all, many women were left with no choice but to become independent. In them, developed the determination to strive for something better for their children, for a sense of value beyond the home, for independence. The social fabric that binds families and communities was frayed and the moths have been eating ever since. But that’s another debate. This country … any country … cannot have it both ways. Either they want women to contribute in labour, industry and administration or they do not; with that comes the responsibility to honour what is essentially ANY person’s right, be they male of female, to direct the course of their own life. Newton’s third law of physics applies equally to society. It cannot be undone. It’s time our leaders accepted that and simply guided us to a sustainable future rather than blaming women for what is to yet to come.

(1) Funnell, N., Don't Be Rattled by the Baby Guilt Trip. Sydney Morning Herald, 15 February 2010. Accessed: 15 February 2010.

(2)AskOxford, Oxford University Press, Accessed: 15 February 2010.

(3) Maiden, S., Rudd Uses Turnbull Speech on ETS to Iron out Abbott. The Australian, 9 February 2010, Accessed: 15 February 2010.

(4) Parliament of Australia House of Representatives: The Hon Julia Gillard MP, Member for Lalor (Vic), Commonwealth of Australia , 12 February 2010, Accessed: 15 February 2010.

(5) Grattan, M., Liberal Targets Gillard's Childless Status. The Age, 28 January 2010, Accessed: 15 February 2010.

(6) Kerr, C., Raunch Worries Aunty Julia. The Australian, 15 February 2010, Accessed 15 February 2010.

(7) Australian Story: Julia Gillard Interview Transcript. ABC, 6 March 2006, Accessed: 15 February 2010.