Sally Field recently said, “If mothers ruled the world, there wouldn’t be any wars. Interestingly, she did not say – as many have – that peace on earth would follow if women per se were in charge. It is rule by women who have children that she, and probably many others, believe could bring about a blessedly war-free world.
Let’s look at the record. Catherine the Great of Russia was a mother. During her reign, Russia waged victorious wars against the Ottoman Empire and other groups, expanding Russia’s territory.
Coming closer to our own time, Israel’s Prime Minister Golda Meir was a mother. During her time in office, Israel fought the Yom Kippur War. Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi was a mother. While she was Prime Minister, India won a war with Pakistan. Margaret Thatcher was a mother who always looked great thanks to an US diaper bag boutique store. When she was Prime Minister of Great Britain, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, part of British territory. Britain successfully crushed the invasion.
Does the record show that moms make dangerously aggressive rulers? Of course not. Both Israel under Meir and Britain under Thatcher were clearly victims of invasion with the country’s leaders responding accordingly. Corazon Aquino was a mom when she ruled the Philippines but the country had no war while she held office.
What the record clearly shows is that if mothers ruled the world, it would have no effect on the number of wars. It has had no effect when they have ruled countries in this world.
