In the immortal children`s story ”Peter Pan”, Peter lives in a place called Never-Never Land. Here he and his friends live out their lives totally removed from the ”real world.” Well, I have just discovered that I too have been living in Never-Never Land.
For the last 21 years, I have been a full-time homemaker and mother. During that time I have been involved in all kinds of volunteer activities and projects, and even managed to earn a B.A. on the side. But I have not held a paying job.
Now, if you also have been living in Never-Never Land, you might not be aware of it, but to be a woman today and not to hold a paying job is an admission of failure as a person. At least this is the message that is coming loud and clear from society in general, and television and magazines in specific.
Who hasn`t seen shows or read articles where the ”average” housewife is now portrayed as running a well-organized home, functioning in a low- to mid- level management position, and in addition, spending ”quality time” with her well-behaved, perfectly adjusted children. Frequently, this paragon is also a single parent.
At first, I tried to stand against the tide, and for a long time I did manage it. But the media message finally reached me. This, combined with the fact that I suddenly found myself to be the only woman in my circle of friends who isn`t employed, made me decide that maybe I should go out and get a job.
I spent two days writing a resume. I think my resume is impressive. I would certainly hire me! But today I faced reality.
I just came home from my first job interview, and am I deflated! I have learned that I can`t do anything. Or at least not anything that anyone wants to pay me for.
My typing test was a disaster . . . and I don`t even want to think about the math test. Somehow the idea that seemed so simple at the time has taken on a totally different aspect.
It`s ironic that I could have spent 18 years as a volunteer braille transcriber and not have anything to put in the ”previous employment”
category.
I have spent 20 years as a church organist, 8 years as a Girl Scout troop leader and countless hours at such things as school board, PTA, etc., but still can`t put anything down as ”experience that will qualify you for this position.”
I was graduated summa cum laude from college but don`t have a
”marketable skill.” It`s the classic case of being overqualified for entry level but underqualified for anything else.
As I recall the story, after Peter Pan has a taste of the real world, he decides that he will return to Never-Never Land. That is where he is happy and that is where he will stay. I am beginning to think that I too should return to my own private Never-Never Land and quietly continue my life as a full-time housewife.
Never-Never Land really isn`t such a bad place after all.
