"Push Presents"

Milton

Milton

Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
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Apr 18, 2007
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Just when you thought consumerism couldn't get any worse, now the jewellry marketing types have come up with another play on the wedding ring: the 'push present', a 'reward' for women who procreate.

(1) http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/06/fashion/06push.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

“It’s more and more an expectation of moms these days that they deserve something for bearing the burden for nine months, getting sick, ruining their body,” said Linda Murray, executive editor of BabyCenter.com. “The guilt really gets piled on.”
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(2) globeandmail.com: Push, push (and I'll buy you a pendant)

After a 36-hour labour for her daughter, Jules, Michelle Halpern received a delicate white gold chain with pearl pendant and four diamonds. "I expected one, and if Adam hadn't got me one, I might have been upset," Ms. Halpern, 35, said. "A push present says, 'I appreciate what you've given me, that your body was used as a vessel for this child.' Let's just say that a dinner out would not suffice as a push present for most people."
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This concept is nauseating on so many levels. :uglystupid:
 
Should it be in the pre-nup? Carats of jewelry per # of offspring (pending DNA tests)?
 
This is an old custom in other cultures where the husband gives a token of affection to his wife upon the birth of a child. Unfortunately some gals (precious metal excavators) have taken it to the extreme and have gone all materialistic with this tradition. The "goddesses" have turned it into a competition comparing who got what and are trying to our do each other. Jewelers, being the smart capitalist that they are, are of course encouraging the trend and have come up with all manor of expensive trinkets. Think about it, is a keep up with the Jones competition thing.

What about the men. The wife should give him a gift for doing a really spectacular job delivering the goods nine months previous. Think about it, she did not do it all by herself. I can think of some name some that gift but will not go there but I will share this poem.

"This is America the land of the push
Where a "bird" in the hand is worth two in the bush
But if in that bush a fair maiden should stand
then a a push in the bush is worth two in the hand.
 
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Cattusbabe said:
"This is America the land of the push
Where a "bird" in the hand is worth two in the bush
But if in that bush a fair maiden should stand
then a a push in the bush is worth two in the hand.
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LOL! Great to have an artist in residence here. Thank you!

Ha
 
Gawd, I had no idea. The things they come up with to sell more junk!
But what I really thought was yucky were the aspirational names all the kids had!
Elisheva? Liam? McKenna? Dashiell? Puh-lease!
 
I always thought that the kid was the present to both parents. (or kids if twins or other multiples)
 
"Hey honey, I was thinking maybe we could put $3000 or so into Jr's college fund when he's born. By the time he's 18, that amount will grow to pay for at least half his college expenses. It'll really be a head start on college savings".

"Yeah, but if we waste $3000 on some lofty goal that's 18 years out, how are you going to get me that diamond encrusted pendant you owe me for delivering this child?" :)

Not in my house!!!
 
My wife and I have friends who just had a child a few months ago and it seems to be almost a "requirement" in some circles. Before the kid was born I overheard the husband being questioned about what he was going to get his wife as a "push present".

What about just the joy of having a child?
 
Sandy said:
I always thought that the kid was the present to both parents. (or kids if twins or other multiples)
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No, apparently the mother is merely the 'vessel' who presents the child to the father. It's like something out of the Dark Ages. :rolleyes:
 
Eyerishgold said:
What about just the joy of having a child?
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I take it you are a man?

I don't know about "push presents", but I do know that having seen a few births I'd be inclined to give the mother most anythig she wanted. Birth looks (and sounds) like a pretty big deal to me!

Ha
 
haha said:
I take it you are a man?

I don't know about "push presents", but I do know that having seen a few births I'd be inclined to give the mother most anythig she wanted. Birth looks (and sounds) like a pretty big deal to me!
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With the greatest possible respect, I think perhaps you are missing about the point.

No one with any sense would suggest that bearing and delivering a child is a particularly easy process. But neither is raising a child.

Frankly, any one with an IQ above room temperature should understand that on a purely financial / material basis, having a child is invariably a dead loss. It is bizarre that these Yuppies apparently think otherwise.
 
Milton said:
Frankly, any one with an IQ above room temperature should understand that on a purely financial / material basis, having a child is invariably a dead loss. It is bizarre that these Yuppies apparently think otherwise.
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Are they evaluating it on a financial/material basis?

Maybe those who decide in this way whether to have children are a little short on elan vital?

Ha
 
haha said:
Maybe those who decide in this way whether to have children are a little short on elan vital?
Ha
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True ,but always remember: "be nice to your kids......some day they will decide where you are going to live"..........:D:D
 
My husband bought me a small little garnet ring when our daughter was born almost 21 years ago. Wow, for once we were ahead of the crowd!

PS: and I did appreciate the the thought.
 
after the pain of push i would think the only present a woman would want is a pair of scissors for your vasectomy.
 
Wouldn't that be cutting off the ___________ that ___________ you?>:D
 
i tremendously hate the commercialization of things like this.

of course it makes total sense from a business/marketing perspective but i'm actually less inclined to do something like this for my wife when we start a family in the next year or so b/c it will not seem special at all. a classy gesture turned sour.

i'd much rather go way out of my way in some other fashion to make sure knows how much she's loved and appreciated.
 
The way I see it: Push Presents are performance bonuses for work well done. They signify the transactional nature of marital partnerships. How is this different from dowries and prenups?

OTOH.....I was born the day before my Dad's birthday. Mom said: "Here's your B'day present, and I'm not wrapping her!"

I think Dad got a "Pacing the hallway" present! :)
 
Milton said:
That doesn't describe my marriage, and I hope it doesn't describe yours.
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No, but it describes many marriages. I work with many people whose marriages were arranged. For them it's a transaction for sure. I also know many people for whom the journey to marriage is a negotiation. You have A; I need A; you need B; I can bring B to the table.
 
Meadbh said:
The way I see it: Push Presents are performance bonuses for work well done. They signify the transactional nature of marital partnerships.
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Are you single? Or just unusually analytical? :)

Ha
 
jblack said:
i tremendously hate the commercialization of things like this.

of course it makes total sense from a business/marketing perspective but i'm actually less inclined to do something like this for my wife when we start a family in the next year or so b/c it will not seem special at all. a classy gesture turned sour.

i'd much rather go way out of my way in some other fashion to make sure knows how much she's loved and appreciated.
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From personal experience --- She will not want to eat hospital food. Plan on getting some really good to-go food (get a nice restaurant to pack it) and dine in with some style. That would be classy.
 
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