Founded following the unprecedented destruction wrought by World War 2, the United Nations (UN) is an international organization established to foster peace and cooperation worldwide, thus preventing another world war. Since its inception, the United Nations has expanded the scope of its efforts and now also works to reduce global carbon emissions, fight racism, and promote gender equality. The UN hosts a variety of summits and panels in pursuit of these goals.
In attendance at a 2016 UN panel titled "What Women Want" was Jodi Rarick, who had accompanied her husband Tim, a BYU Idaho Family Studies Professor, to the event. In an interview on Cwic Media, Tim Rarick explained the panel "was all about getting out of the home and how marriage is a prison cell... [women] want liberation from children, they want liberation from marriage, they want more pay, they want to enter fortune 500 companies."
Eventually, Jodi Rarick had enough, despite being "very introverted" she raised her hand during the Q&A session to share what she thought was missing from the conversation about what women want. "You know the phrase 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease'?" she asked. The panelists responded that they had. "It seems like we are hearing one squeaky wheel [from this panel], but there are three other wheels on this vehicle so here's what I want as a woman." She spoke about choosing to be a mother and about how she loves being a wife and mother. "So how are you going to get what all women want rather than what you think women want through your very narrow lens?" she queried the panelists.
Tim shared that his "protective instinct" made him terrified of the potential backlash against her that might ensue, but that's not what happened. Instead, many people raised their hands to share their agreement with Jodi Rarick's comments.
The sentiment shared at the panel is very common in UN speeches and meetings. For example, 2016 also saw British actor Emma Watson attend the UN to give a speech about her HeForShe initiative which in part advocates for equal representation of women in leadership positions at universities. "We need to see equal respect, leadership, and pay. The university experience must tell women that their brain power is valued and not just that, but that they belong within the leadership of the university itself" Watson explained. Watson did not give any consideration to the possibility that women might not want to spend the time and effort necessary to earn a leadership role at a university as often as men do.
Tim Rarick sees the exchange his wife had at the UN as a microcosm of discourse around the role of family in society. "The anti-family powers have been emboldened, but I've also seen the pro-family powers speak up and it's giving more [people] a voice." In an email to Ward Radio News, Tim Rarick shared that he has "many, many more stories" of BYU-I students he has brought to UN events speaking up as Jodi did. "If we truly love God and our covenants first, and then love our fellow human beings, second, we will have the courage to speak up, even when it is unpopular. That's because the truth can make people free and if we truly love God and we love them, why wouldn't we speak it? If we don't speak the truth out of fear, then we are only thinking of ourselves" Rarick concluded.
Ward Radio News is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Church) and does not officially represent the Church. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily represent the position of Ward Radio News.
I am grateful for her courage to have her voice heard and that she spoke truth to power.
The UN is part of the Secret Combinations. While we might do a bit of good to a few people,but, it will be temporary because it is designed by Lucifer to destroy "freedom of all nations." as the Book of Mormon has warned.. The UN is carrying out his plans for us, globally,, including his version of his church and freedom. It does not come from God but is designed to a mirror image of truth., where all freedom is "allowed" by the State. I am working to get us out of the UN and take back our sovereignty, which is almost lost to world organizations and committees, from within and without.
There is a big push in the western world for women to be aggressive fortune 500 leaders, government leaders, powerful moguls, etc and that we need to make it happen no matter the cost to families and children. I've worked in the world of business for a few decades now and what I've learned is that often men and women in these rat race corporate leadership roles have messed up families and home lives. Many of these careers require outrageous amounts of time away from spouse and children if they even have time to add those to their lives. Then, they get to a certain point in life and find themselves feeling empty with broken marriages, messed up kids,…
I love it!❤️. My greatest desire has always been to be a wife and mommy! I feel I have been shamed into wanting more money, more more success, and to be better than a man. I truely belive the quote from David O McKay ... "No amount of success can compensate for failure in the home". I have loved being a "Homemaker" for my husband and our five kiddos. I am sure there are more women who would rather be home loving and nurturing their families than those who are clawing there way to the top of fortune 500companies. I feel equal to my husband and to all men. I am a helpmeet and no way inferior. It is …
This was so beautiful! It's not the majority of women whose voices we're hearing in the media from places like the UN. It's a natural desire to eventually want home and family. I hope to have that in the mellinium!