Women in Athens County Survey question 10

Is the fact that vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has five children, including one with Down syndrome, any more of a consideration than if she were a male with the same family situation potentially serving as vice-president?

"If vice-presidential candidate Sen. Biden's family situation isn't a consideration, then vice-presidential candidate Gov. Palin's shouldn't be either. The fact that one candidate is a male and one candidate is a female doesn't matter and neither do their individual family situations."
-Shawn Morris, 54, a retired registered nurse from Athens

"No. I would expect my answers to be the same if she were a male. Of course, the circumstances surrounding the labor of her fifth child and the travel she took during that pregnancy might not be as big of an issue (as male homo sapiens cannot give birth, at least not to my knowledge). I find her choices speak to her character, just as others choices speak to theirs."
-Caitlin Seida, 19, an artist from Nelsonville

"Yes! In all honesty, have we ever paid much attention to the previous VP candidates' children? This is new and exciting. This is ‘Mommy for Vice President!'"
-Jody Stickel, 55, a retired teacher from Athens

"I personally don't think anyone with five children should run for president. It's a bit selfish to the spouse and kids."
-Molly Smith, 18, a freshman at OU, from Athens

 "Not to me. It sounds like Todd Palin is a supportive husband and a very involved father. The eldest child has already ‘left the nest,' and the Palins also have a built-in support network in their extended family. I'm sure, just like many other American families, they'll work it out and the kids will all be well-cared for."
-Mary Della Harmison, 35, an administrative assistant for a financial and marketing director, from Athens

"Not to me. However, I recently had a conversation with an older male family member who does not believe Sarah Palin should be working outside the home, let alone running for vice-president. My generation of women was the first to really work outside the home and raise their children. My children had babysitters and daycare, and both thrived in school and have become productive members of society."
-Lisa Eliason, 54, an attorney and chief Athens city prosecutor from Athens

"This fact has nothing to do with Sarah Palin being a poor candidate for VP. Didn't Van Buren have about 40 kids? I don't think the male/female dichotomy of this question is necessary. Someone (or several someones) will be there for the children. Palin is already a governor, which I would guess is also a job with very long hours. Or, she could just Bush it up and go on vacation every other week of her term as VP."
-Tiffany Teofilo, 26, an OU PhD student and senior accountant from Athens

"Male or female, she/he would still not be a good role model for our daughters or sons."
-Ginger Gagne, 44, an executive assistant for the president of an IT company, from Athens

"To the American people, it may seem that way since the trend is for mothers to have that responsibility for their children. But it all depends on the family's personal dynamics. To me, it doesn't matter that her child has Down syndrome, whether Palin is female or male."
-Emily Figliomeni, 18, a freshman at OU, from Toledo

 "Personally, I do not believe that her role as a mother should have any more importance than McCain's role as a father. I do not believe that her role as a mother should have such great weight as a qualification for office. Granted, the role of a mother requires a great deal of balancing and working under pressure, which would be useful to a vice president. On the other hand, though, all mothers have children, but not all mothers would make great teachers. This is exactly why I feel that her family dynamics are a moot point."
-Catia Carter, 25, an administrative assistant from Athens

"I don't know about the comparison. I think it is a powerful statement that she did not abort her most recent child, although she knew he was disabled; and also that her daughter did not abort her baby but plans to raise him/her."
-Lisa Carson, 50, an editor from Athens

"I think it makes her job as a vice-presidential candidate harder. No matter what, most mothers have that mothering instinct. I cannot imagine it just turns off when she has to go to work those long hours on the campaign trail."
-Laurie Gribble-McKnight, 36, a social worker from Athens

"Well, I like that she has children, and I think it should not really matter if she is a male or female. I just don't like much of her politics. I would assume she is from a very supportive family with money, so might not be in touch with those who are not as fortunate. And since she has never had the learning experiences that one can have by traveling to developing countries and living in poor neighborhoods in such countries, I doubt if she understands most of the needs of folks who live on a $1 a day, who I think make up a good percentage of the world population."
-Linda Hiller, 53, a house builder and rental manager from Athens

"Her husband has chosen to be a stay at home dad and we need to respect him for making that choice just as we respect women for making such a choice."
-Susan Mitchell, 47, a marketing consultant, from Athens

"You mean a consideration to vote for her? I never really thought she had a chance as the VPOTUS. I hope she returns to Alaska and her family, and I wish them well."
-Cheri Johnson, 56, a psychotherapist from Athens

"Not at all. I would just like to see her with more experience behind her."
-Sherrie Norman, 40, a deputy sheriff, mall manager and retail manager from Athens

"Yes, her 5-month-old baby needs his mommy. He is also a breastfeeding infant."
-Heidi Wilhelm, 39, a mom and birthing instructor from Athens

"No, women can make decisions the same as men! The tough decisions tell you what kind of a person the individual really is."
-Laura Jordan, 52, a karaoke DJ from Albany

"I think it's great that she's a driven, successful woman, and I know her husband would probably play a very significant role in their family if she were to become vice president. However, I know when I was growing up my mother's presence was essential to my emotional health. However, I don't want my personal reflection to be perceived as a judgment on her decision to pursue a political career."
-Johanna Mateer, 26, an independent provider of home health care from Athens

"No, as a working mother I don't think it should be. However, since society sees the role of the male and the female as different it will be for many people."
-Janice M. Wright, 54, a clinical supervisor at Ohio University from Athens

"It is harder for woman to detach from the nurturing role and put politics first. I am not sure that at some point the job would suffer with a larger family with many additional needs. She would hopefully prove me wrong."
-Tabitha Bond, 38, a business owner from Coolville

"No. As I said, her family affairs are her own. I care more about her politics, just as I would a male candidate."
-Brandi Mullins, 34, an LPN from Athens

"I honestly do not think it would. I do not think the kids have a huge impact on her running for vice president and does not impact people that much. The only thing that impacts me a little about her children is the fact of her child having Down syndrome because I think her experiences with children with disabilities with help change the educational policies from what they are now to make them better."
-Angela Haas, 21, an OU senior from Marion, Ohio

"Some. She is very busy. I hate to see her neglect the family who needs her. The mother plays a bigger role in the family."
-Sandy Griffin, 67, retired, from New Marshfield

"To me, no. I think it shows how far we have to go in equality that this is even a concern for people."
-Diane Scharer, 36, a stay at home mom from Athens

 "Even if Palin were male, something would eventually have to ‘give' with so many huge responsibilities. However, I am more concerned with her lack of international knowledge and experience than whether I think she can raise a large family — now with a young pregnant daughter, a soldier son, and a child with special needs — and be in the White House. But then again, when I articulate that list, it does seem a daunting task for anyone, and I don't think I'm less of a feminist for saying that."
-Becca J.R. Lachman, 28, interim assistant director at OU, freelance writer and composer from Athens

"The only concern about Sarah Palin's family is that she might find it harder to breast-feed during the campaign. So what? If we limit a vice-presidential candidate because of her family, then there's cause to limit others in their careers."
-Suzanne Fisher, 35, a recent ecotourism graduate of Hocking College, from Nelsonville

"No, I am not fazed by the fact that Palin has a daughter with Down syndrome. I think it is great that she takes care of her family, but I would not consider it to be a different situation than any man."
-Stefanie Dimofski, 18, an OU freshman from Gahanna, Ohio

"No, this would have no bearing on me voting for her if I were voting. Being male or female in this situation is no different. It just may be handled differently within the family, you just never know.
-Billie Byers, 49, former junk separator, cashier, home health aide, wife, mother and homemaker from New Marshfield