This is how the retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott chose to introduce herself on the Infinite Monkey Cage, a science-focussed podcast:<\/p>\n
\"Hi, everyone, I'm Nicole Stott, a retired NASA astronaut, though hopeful to fly in space again someday. An aquanaut, artist, now author, and most importantly, a mom.\"<\/p>\n
Like, I get that it's vital to demonstrate that women can be astronauts and mothers and that being a mother shouldn't limit women in STEM, but excuse me if I rank being a friggin' astronaut higher than popping out some kids!<\/p>\n
And obviously, the whole point of feminism is having the right to choose one's own path, be that a SAHM, childfree, or anything else, but to me, something feels a bit regressive about highlighting her motherhood above all else.<\/p>\n
Do male astronauts highlight their fatherhood as their crowning achievement, above space flight?<\/p>\n
I don't know, I'm just spit-balling, here, and I haven't worked out whether I have some internalised misogyny going on, or why exactly Stott's self-description irked me. I just had a very visceral reaction to \"...and most importantly, a mom\" coming from her in that setting.<\/p>\n
What are your thoughts?<\/p>\n
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More: <\/p>\n
r\/childfree - "...and most importantly, a mom." -NASA astronaut ...<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is how the retired NASA astronaut Nicole Stott chose to introduce herself on the Infinite Monkey Cage, a science-focussed podcast: \"Hi, everyone, I'm Nicole Stott, a retired NASA astronaut, though hopeful to fly in space again someday. An aquanaut, artist, now author, and most importantly, a mom.\" Like, I get that it's vital to demonstrate that women can be astronauts and mothers and that being a mother shouldn't limit women in STEM, but excuse me if I rank being a friggin' astronaut higher than popping out some kids! And obviously, the whole point of feminism is having the right to choose one's own path, be that a SAHM, childfree, or anything else, but to me, something feels a bit regressive about highlighting her motherhood above all else. Do male astronauts highlight their fatherhood as their crowning achievement, above space flight? Continue reading