Mitt Romney delivered an interesting commencement speech to the (very Mormon populated) Southern Virginia University’s graduating class. Sharing his secrets for “abundant living,” Romney urged the new grads to go out, get married, and procreate like crazy…. ‘Get married,’ he said, and “Have a quiver full of kids if you can.”…. Also, hurry. Staying single until your thirties could be a big mistake. A quiver full of kids aren’t born over night…. “Some people could marry but choose to take more time, they say, for themselves. Others plan to wait until they’re well into their 30s or 40s until they think about getting married,” he said, “They’re going to miss so much of living, I’m afraid.”…. Girls, forget about establishing a career before you get married or have children. Why spend your body’s prime child-bearing years working, when you could be breast-feeding on a much smaller salary?
I can’t imagine that the women of Southern Virginia University’s 2013 graduating class were looking for career advice. If they had been, they would have been disappointed with Mitt Romney’s “have a quiver full of kids” “formula for success.” Granted, I understand that Romney’s Mormon faith is what defines him and lies at his core. Nonetheless, when you give a speech straight out of 1957 telling women to aim low and stay barefoot and pregnant…well, what applicability does that have in today’s world?
The answer, of course, is none. Absolutely none.
Speaking as one with more money than he could possibly spend in three lifetimes, it’s easy for Romney to tell women that they’re best served by setting their dreams aside to get married and hav a litter of kids. As a male, he’s not the one expected to put his dream on hold to raise a family. Don’t get me wrong; motherhood is a noble occupation, and a woman has every right to choose it. When this advice comes from a Far Right-wing Mormon, you have to wonder if there’s any belief in equality…or if it’s truly his belief that women belong at home.
Sons are a heritage from the LORD,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
- Psalm 127:3-5 (NIV)
What Romney’s argument is really about is the purpose of the QuiverFull movement. It’s about Christians breeding in sufficient numbers to eventually dominate this country and assuming power through sheer force of numbers. The ultimate goal is to create a dominionist theocracy to replace our current representative democracy.
It’s What Jesus Would Do, right??
That a recent Presidential candidate gave a commencement speech advocating for women to give up their dreams to have a “quiver full” of children is at the very least offensive. In an era when we should be encouraging women to chase their dreams (and yes, motherhood is a valid option), whatever they may be, a publicly funded university shouldn’t be paying a de facto representative of the QuiverFull movement to spread their propaganda. That sort of thing is appropriate for a church service, not a graduation ceremony at a publicly funded university.
Then again, who needs the separation of Church and State? Losers and Liberals?
Stop wasting time and get pregnant, already….
