Although I consider myself a feminist, the new third wave of feminism has a lot of glaring issues with the movement that I cannot completely support.

A social issue the new wave of feminism discusses is the topic of women continuing to pursue their career rather than become stay-at-home mom's after having children. The fact that women used to be expected to leave their careers and stay home with the children a few short decades ago is not okay. But in today's day and age, the attitude towards women being stay-at-home moms has made a total 180. Women who express the interest in becoming stay-at-home mothers once they're older are shamed and ridiculed. They're told they're "wasting their potential," "internalizing their misogyny" and "letting the patriarchy win."

In my personal opinion, the only time the "patriarchy wins" (a buzz-phrase I try to stray from ever saying) is when women put other women down for making a personal decision just because they don't agree or understand this decision. Feminism is not criticizing women for making a healthy, personal choice that makes her happy because it doesn't fall into a certain narrative. Feminism is encouraging each other to individually make our own choices based off of the lifestyles we desire and praising each other for finding contentment and confidence in what we choose no matter what is it.

Stay-at-home mom's are portrayed as weak, as cowardly or as boring. I personally don't think there is anything more inspiring than a woman who is willing to make sacrifices to serve her children over herself. I'm not saying women who choose to pursue their career fields even after children aren't inspiring; balancing two contradicting lifestyles of raising a family and chasing dreams is very inspiring. But in my eyes, someone who was willing to drop all their ambitions to focus on giving the best possible lifestyle for their children is one of the bravest acts of a love a mother can do.

My mom worked from home up until I was twelve and my brother was fifteen. She left her teaching job to raise my brother and me and returned to teaching after we were grown. She said she had always wanted to raise her kids, and she did a great job at it too. There are good parts and bad parts of both lifestyles, but I know always having my mom around for me while I grew up really made a big difference in my life. My mom is one of the most confident, efficient, smartest and coolest women I know and I am always grateful that she was willing to give all her time to my brother and I growing up. Knowing my mom was always there to pick me up after I had a bad day was one of the best and most comforting feelings while growing up. She has always kept up on what was going on in my life, and as a result, I've never felt completely alone in any challenge or difficulty.

I personally have a lot of career goals, but I also want to give my children the same opportunity to grow up with a parent who is totally present. I'm not sure what route my life will ultimately take as I am definitely not someone who has a five-year/ten-year/twenty-year plan (or even a daily to-do list, if I'm being honest). But I just can't stand to see women be criticized for making a decision that is very difficult and very brave. I applaud any mother that sacrifices her goals because of the love she has for her children. And any real feminist would do the same.