I nearly found myself apologizing to the barista at Starbucks yesterday for not being employed. Although I only sometimes ponder my enforced unemployment on a deep and meaningful level, I haven’t been ashamed of it, yet. And it would be hard to find a reason to be ashamed. According to the latest census, Alberta has the highest two parent family rates in the country. Well over 70% with the majority still being married couples as opposed to common-law. The county we live in has the highest per capita income levels of the province and even without much of a sample to poll, it is becoming very clear to me that many women here have just part time jobs, if they work at all. Frankly, I am more ashamed to be lumped in with the SAHM crowd than I am to actually being jobless. Most conversations center around children. The ones you have. The ones your kids interact with. Those who are related to you in some fashion and, of course, the ones you think aren’t being raised all that well. It makes me a bit nostalgic for the teachers’ lounge. Read Full Article