So, we’re studying ancient history this year, using The Story of the World, Volume 1 by Susan Wise Bauer. Lots of people have complained that Bauer’s history is a bit too heavy on war and battle as its central theme, and yeah, maybe it is, but if you ask me, so what? Isn’t most of the history of the world a little bit heavy on war and battle?
And then people said, Well, she wrote it that way because she’s got three boys. Of course she’d play up the war and battles. What little boy doesn’t want a whole lotta blood and gore and war in his history. Right? Oh, it’s fine for boys. But what about our delicate, darling daughters?
So, if you’re like me, and you enjoy worrying about homeschooling as a hobby, and you have only daughters, you might seize upon this fact as an excellent point of concern. Is Bauer’s series an adequate history text for girls? Particularly for the daughters of a long-time liberal feminist who majored in History and Political Science and certainly doesn’t want her girls to grow up to be…well…all… you know… GIRLY. Not that I want them joining the military, mind you, but please God, don’t let my babies grow up to be Barbies. You know what I’m talking about here, right?
So, anyway. If you’ve been worrying about that at all, I’m here to tell you that you can stop now and move on to other more exciting homeschooling worries, like is my spelling program really working? or that old classic standby: Saxon or Singapore. Because Bauer’s text seems to have no effect on the natural ability of girls to stand up and say: Hey, wait just a damn minute. That ain’t right.
We’ve reached ancient Greece in the text, and we’ve stopped to browse a bit. Last week, we read Chapter 22: Sparta and Athens, in which we read a nice basic introduction of the two city-states. How Sparta was more warlike and Athens more democratic. And how both societies believed that women were unequal to men, and women couldn’t vote or do anything except cook and clean and such.
And after we were done reading the chapter, and we did the review questions, and it was time for my 7-year-old to give me a narration of the reading, the first thing out of her mouth was a resounding, indignant:
“I THINK WOMEN ARE VERY IMPORTANT!”
And then, she began to go into the many reasons for her opinion and then she stopped and checked herself, because she realized suddenly that what she was saying wasn’t exactly what had been in the chapter. And she looked a little worried for a moment, like she’d be “in trouble” for not giving an accurate narration.
Like I’d ever stop her from telling anyone why women are important.
Other than a gentle, “Keep going, hon. You’re fine,” I kept as quiet as I could. But in my head, I was all:
[sonific 0211285bc6b3f86f4109fca7f0d3ab34611d33ae]
I tell you…it was my finest moment yet as a liberal-feminist homeschooling mom.
RIGHT ON!
Oh! If only she’d said, ” I think women are pretty f’ing important!” Then you might bump up your rating, too.
Go, RegularDaughter!
We seem to be right around the same spot in the same book. Although no giant epiphanies have been shouted, the kids are noticing the male dominated culture and the constant battles to overtake the kingdoms. Some good questions na d discussions have been sparked, and that’s a good thing. Noones complaining so I figure we’ll stick with Bauer while we’re enjoying it. Glad to hear it’s making an impression in your house too!
Andie, hmmmm…you might be onto something. I did use the words “liberal”, “feminist”, and “homeschooling” more than once in this post. I’d think that’d be worth an “R” rating. Don’t you? I’ll have to run it through the rating thing again later to see.
Bonni, glad to hear it’s working over at your place, too.
That’s fabulous.
Here’s an AMEN from the libertarian-leaning homeschool corner.
We use Bauer, too. What’s life without a little warfare? Fortunately, my daughter has an aunt who is an officer in the military to give her the modern female perspective of war.
“Yes, honey, girls do and did fight in wars. It just never made the history books.”
Very cool! I love the worrying about homeschooling likes it is a hobby. Too funny!
Good for her. Now, if our sons think the same way
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Well done for raising a wee feminist as well as a careful listener..that sounds as though I’m implying that the two traits are generally mutually exclusive. I’m not!
I’m enjoying your blog immensely, and I hope that you don’t mind that I’ve linked to you from my own.
-Kind Regards from Scotland
Thanks, everyone. And Lanna, thanks for the link. I’ll be coming to visit your blog shortly.