This is an interesting prompt, because I think there are lots of things that we, as a society, would benefit from discussing more. There are the obvious things – social issues like poverty, racism, sexism, homophobia. I think that openly sharing stories would help create more empathy. But it has limited effect, because there will always be groups who are hardened in their prejudice and have no interest in listening.
Then there are the medical issues I wish got talked about more. I have physical disabilities – I have had back surgery and also have chronic illnesses. These are not visible, so I don’t get any concessions for them. I remember even when I was only months out of back surgery not being able to get a seat on the bus because I was in my late 20s and had no visible sign of my injury. I don’t think people share these hidden disabilities – partly because it isn’t prompted, partly because they don’t want to be seen differently, partly because they feel like people won’t care or listen. But there are a lot of people out there living with invisible disabilities and invisible illnesses that impact their wellbeing, their abilities and their day-to-day lives. They may need to sit in public spaces. They may need access to the bathroom. They may need to be able to eat in allergen-free facilities. They may need to be in scent-free or allergen-free spaces. These things are very common, especially these days, and yet often we are met with disbelief, lack of understanding, and just a general lack of awareness that things everyone does could affect the very life of someone they come in passing contact with. The perfume that one person chooses to wear because it smells lovely to them or reminds them of a treasured memory seems like a personal choice. And yet once they enter a public space, that same scent that is nothing but positive for them could cause someone else’s airways to close up. It’s something that needs to be considered, by everyone. But it just isn’t. I think this needs to be discussed more. Everyone should know that these issues exist in anyone around them, and should begin to consider how their own choices could affect others.
And finally, another thing I really, really think needs to be discussed more is motherhood. On many fronts. When I became a mother it was an incredible shock to my system. First there were the physical things I never knew to expect or how to deal with. No one had taught me how to care for an infant, how to breastfeed or use a breast pump, no one told me exactly the effect lack of sleep would have. I knew nothing of how much work babies create, or how exhausted the entire experience would leave me. I didn’t know about the impact motherhood would have on my relationship, on my interests, or on my mental health. I suddenly became nearly completely isolated, overwhelmed, scared, tired, and feeling like my body had been swapped out and I didn’t know myself anymore. I also had no idea how it would feel to be a mother. How on the one hand I’d suddenly be filled with a love I’d never imagined, but also experiencing a parallel feeling of fear and anxiety because all of a sudden I had so much to lose. All of this was incredibly overwhelming, and I went into it fully unprepared because no one talks about what it feels like to become a mother. Or what it’s like to be a stay at home mom all of a sudden. Either there’s shame that you’re given the privilege of not having to work while other mothers around you are forced to work and find a way to mother as well. But also a weird sense of having let down womankind because so many women have fought to not be stuck in the home. And I know really they were fighting for the ability for women to have options and make their own choices, but the choice to stay at home is still judged unfavourably at times. There’s so much in this experience to explore and unpack, so I’m going to stop there. But suffice it to say that I wish women would share their experiences more honestly, that they could say it’s hard, they don’t always like being a mom, sometimes their kids are not a lot of fun to hang out with (as we all aren’t on a bad day), and not be judged for those emotions. It would make it much easier for women just starting on their motherhood journeys to be prepared for what is to come.
What do you guys wish was discussed more openly? Are any of my topics (or similar ones) on your list today?
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Motherhood’s not discussed? You weren’t hanging out with the right crowd! I chose to be an aunt but I remember a few years when ALL my sisters and their friends wanted to talk about was their babies and the motherhood experience, and our elders were delighted to indulge them. And yes, as one of those women who don’t want to be stuck in the nursery, I *do* think the right choice for those who have babies is to spend those first five years with the babies.
About invisible disabilities I remember writing a piece for Associated Content and having it rejected because “lots of people are talking and writing about this already.” Obviously, not enough for every story to be included. (I wrote about having seen someone’ss right to wheelchair access challenged because she was alternating walking, leaning on the wheelchair, with rolling in it. I’ve had days like that, but I would sit down beside the road and rest–I didn’t have a wheelchair to use. I thought the Wheelchair Walker was brave but a Metrocop thought she was playing for sympathy.)
You’re right, I should have included the point that this is based on my experiences, my social situation, my culture and my family. I’m glad to hear that it’s not the same everywhere for everyone. I’ve also noticed more books coming out that share the parts that are harder, like post partum or loss of identity, so I’m hopeful that it’s starting to become more common. I want it to be something that’s part of the larger discussions because we don’t all have many people in our lives who will share with us, and if it’s not being included in stories of motherhood in books and media then where do we find it? Especially if we don’t know what to look for? Anyway, I hope that your experience is becoming more of the norm than mine!
Yeah, I guess it has pockets of discussion, but when I’m out in the world I don’t think that the majority of random people ever think about the disabilities they can’t see – or even those they can. It’s not like they don’t know they exist, but I don’t think that many really know how common they are or what it can mean from the sufferers. And I agree with you on her being brave!
All great answers to the prompt. And you’re so right about some people being too set in their own bigotry and prejudices.
Yes, I really wish that there was more effort put into teaching relativity and empathy. That’s served me far better than algebra!
Yes, absolutely! Parenthood is an absolute shock to the system, there are way too many medical implications to pregnancy that get discussed far too little, and I think an awful lot of first-time parents go into the experience without any real context for what they’re getting into.
Exactly. There are so many things I wish I could tell my younger self, so many things I’d do differently if I had a do over. It didn’t help that I didn’t know I had ADHD, so that was a huge part of it. Don’t get me wrong, I have zero regrets about becoming a parent and it’s the best part of my life. I just wish I’d known more of what I know now!