I stumbled, today, upon the Prairie Muffin Manifesto. It squicks me, and I was trying to figure out why. I mean, when you subtract out the hard-core Christian stuff, they’re espousing many values that are very close to mine. Patience, living simply, working hard, not losing it when bad stuff happens, making things better in small ways. Eventually, I realized that they’re saying these are things we should do because we’re women, rather than because they’re people, and that men have an entirely different set of responsibilities.

And then there’s bits such as

2) Prairie Muffins are helpmeets to their husbands, seeking creative and practical ways to further their husbands’ callings and aid them in their dominion responsibilities.

9) Prairie Muffins do not reflect badly on their husbands by neglecting their appearance; they work with the clay God has given, molding it into an attractive package for the pleasure of their husbands.

17) Prairie Muffins place their husbands’ needs and desires above other obligations, arranging their schedules and responsibilities so that they do not neglect the one who provides for and protects them and their children.

Squick! Seriously, this just creeps me out. I mean, sure, I don’t wanna be a full-time homemaker, but the women I know who do want to don’t go into it with this “I will sacrifice my every need to my so-superior husband’s” mindset.. right?

And finally, this:

36) Prairie Muffins are happy to be girls—they rejoice in the distinctives which God sovereignly bestowed on them which make them feminine. They are also happy that their husbands are masculine, and they do not diminish that masculinity by harping on habits which emanate from the fact that boys will be boys, even when they grow up. In addition, Prairie Muffins are careful not to use their feminine, hormotional weaknesses to excuse sinful attitudes and actions, but learn to depend more and more on God’s grace and strength in the midst of any monthly trials.

Don’t get too hormotional, girls.