THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, August 15, 1994 TAG: 9408130003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
Two recent sexist articles by staff writer Elizabeth Simpson and syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman related to the woman who lost custody of her child for putting the youngster into day care. Both writers failed to recognize that the case is a sign that equal opportunity is marching on and that with the good comes the bad.
In the past, men have lost the battle for custody for the same reasons this woman lost. The men worked (had to in order to pay child support) and therefore could not offer the child the care and attention that the mother (at home collecting alimony and child support) could.
Ms. Simpson and Ms. Goodman attacked the man because of his job (cutting lawns) and for living with his mother. At least he had a job. Have women never received custody by using their parents' home as a source of stability?
I think these writers are of the mind-set that women should be treated equally, as long as it benefits the woman.
Take the young lady at The Citadel: She wanted into the organization but didn't want to conform to the rules by which the men have to live.
To be equal is to be the same, not the same with some reservations.
CHARLES E. HANKINSON JR.
Chesapeake, Aug. 7, 1994 by CNB