Mom’s Gesture For Family Revealed How Undervalued Women Are Outside Of Their Roles As Moms And Wives

In response to Isaac Butler's New York Times Op-Ed, "American Theater Is Imploding Before Our Eyes," a woman's poignant account of the alienation moms and wives often face has stirred attention.

A woman's generous gesture for her family revealed a sad dynamic female caretakers often face.

A woman named Diana commented on the op-ed to share her story about wanting to take her family to a play. She noted that she made the effort to find one that she thought would engage even the least interested of them.

"I actually bought tickets to the theater a few months ago," Diana wrote. "I carefully looked for something that might appeal to my husband and son. I found a version of the tempest with a real magician playing prospero, doing real magic tricks."

However, Diana's initial excitement was steadily replaced with a disheartening realization.

Despite taking care of all the arrangements herself so that all her family would have to do is show up, "it was clear that they would do this for me, but as passively as possible," Diana wrote. "Their faces would go into completely neutral mode whenever I spoke about it." Their indifference was felt, gnawing at the joy she initially held.

"When the day came, I just couldn't bear it... so I faked an illness and curled up in bed," Diana confessed.

diana comment on new york times op ed Photo: Twitter via @GratuitousV

This scenario painted a somber picture of how little we value women when they're doing something for themselves instead of others.

"I think a dynamic like this is going on in many families. Most men have just decided that this is a girl's thing, and they are just not interested," Diana wrote.

Many took to Twitter, expressing their feelings over Diana's situation.

tweet about alienation of women in families Photo: Twitter via @moorehn

"This is the saddest comment on the @nytimes opinion piece about American theater. I wish this woman had told her family she was going with a couple of girlfriends instead or was just going to enjoy an evening by herself," one woman wrote.

The sentiment also resonated with New York Times writer Sophie Vershbow, who wrote, "This genuinely makes my hear[t] break. I want so much more for heterosexual women."

Moreover, the issue touched upon the much broader institution of marriage and the isolation often experienced by women within it.

A Mom’s Generous Gesture For Her Family Revealed Just How Undervalued Women Are Outside Of Their Roles As Moms And Wives

Her family didn't even pretend that they wanted to take part in one of her interests.

A woman's generous gesture for her family revealed a sad dynamic female caretakers often face.

This scenario painted a somber picture of how little we value women when they're doing something for themselves instead of others.

A Mom’s Generous Gesture For Her Family Revealed Just How Undervalued Women Are Outside Of Their Roles As Moms And Wives

Her family didn't even pretend that they wanted to take part in one of her interests.

A woman's generous gesture for her family revealed a sad dynamic female caretakers often face.

This scenario painted a somber picture of how little we value women when they're doing something for themselves instead of others.

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