If you read an American newspaper today, you’ll see the phrase hockey mom. What is a hockey mom, and why are all the newspapers talking about it?
In the narrowest (most restricted) sense, a hockey mom is a mother who has children who play the sport of ice hockey. The image of a hockey mom is someone who supports her children by going to the games, transporting them to practices, and being active with other mothers whose children are participating in the sport.
But hockey mom (like a similar term, soccer mom) means more than that to the average American. The term is associated with women with families living in the suburbs (just outside the city) or in small towns who are middle-class (not rich, not poor – in the middle and therefore “average”), who perhaps drive a minivan or an SUV (a large car that can transport several children and their sports equipment), and who are active in their local schools and communities. They may work full-time or part-time outside the home, and are considered by some people to be very protective of their children.
Some people use the term in a positive way to mean an “average” concerned mother of young children and adolescents (teenagers). Other people use the term negatively, to mean a woman who is overly (too much) concerned about her children or is perhaps overbearing (too aggressive, too enthusiastic). The most common association, however, is probably positive or neutral (neither positive nor negative) to refer to an average, middle-class mother.
One of our two major political parties (groups), the Republican Party, has just nominated (named) as its vice-presidential candidate Governor Sarah Palin (pronounced “PAY-lin”) of Alaska. She is the first female Republican to run for that office (the Democrats nominated a female candidate back in 1984, but never since). In her speech to the national Republican convention (meeting) last night, she refered to herself as a “hockey mom.” The reason is that she wants to convey (to give) the message that she is just an average, hard-working mother who cares about her children and is active in the community.
It is too early to know if Palin’s nomination will help or hurt the Republican Party’s presidential nominee, John McCain, in the general election in November against Barak Obama.
~Jeff
She looks as a strong woman, a real hockey mom, but what I dislike of her is that there is some news about her being member of a separatist party.
But I don’t know if these news are true or not, if true I don’t like her as vicepresident of a country that she wanted to be out. Is there anybody that
Knows something about this even?. I don’t like separatist at all.
What was very interesting for me was that republicans choose your city Jeff, St Paul (Min.), for its convection. ¿Is there any reason for that, Jeff?
If any, please tell us.
What a funny morning to me and Cuca has been this one, just because Jeff was singing to us the Star-Spangled Banner and we were so delighted listening to you.
Thank you Jeff, and thank you Lucy to say him that have to sing it completely at the end of the Podcast.
I and Cuca have enjoyed it very very much, and I was just missing your marvellous voice Jeff for long. Please do it frecuently, it is funny and exemplary to all your listeners of your good humor and nice character. You know I like you both very much for many reasons, this is one of them….give Cuca and me so a good momen like this morning.
Best regards. emiliano
I’ve heard before the term “soccer mom” and my idea was that soccer/hockey moms tend to be conservative. I don’t know if that’s true.
I also have read that Palin joined an Alaskan pro-independence party. I see no problem on that, everyone can have (and change) its opinions.
Greetings to all of you.
Thank you for information.
I really hope that she is a really hockey mom. It will be good for US. In my country, it seems that the hockey moms as her are often so busy, and often lack the concentration on their children.
P/S: If i have any error, let’s show them for me. I want to practice my writing skill. Thanks for everyone.
Hi Nguyenlam (what a strange name for me).
Like you, I would like to know if I have mistakes in my writing. Thanks.
As far as I know when you say “she is a really hockey mom” you should say “she is a real hockey mom” or maybe “she is really a hockey mom”. I think so but I’m a learner too… 🙂
I think in our county China, we have to define our monther as study monther. Our monthers are great, they spend even half of their life to dedicate to their children’s study. I can’t believe some guys still can be bad to their monther, even when they old. In order to help me to enter colleage, my mom did lots of different works, selling cereals, collecting empty bottles for money, sell seafoods, raise animals and so on. It is not easy for my monther to support our four children’s school work. Now i am working, i wish i can buy the house at the centre of city, then i will take my mom to live with me and my wife. I am still save money, the dream will be not far. Monther’s love is the most beautiful love in the world.
I collect some nice cds, today i want to introduce you guys to try songs from Mattew lien,very natrual, hope you will like.
Well,I don’t know how to say this but I have to disagree with you, Emiliano.I think Jeff is a great podcaster and an excellent teacher and he really seems like a nice guy.And I know that he tries really hard to succeed in the difficult world of music but,you know,I really don’t think Jeff is cut out for that.I wouldn’t give much for his chances to succeed in American Idol,because let’s face up guys,the idea of jeff recording an album and selling millions of copies around the world is just make-believe.
Hello Goodie. Did you mean Matthew Lien? I’ve seen he has a website (www.matthewlien.com) where you can download songs in mp3 format.
I’ll download some of them and tell you my opinion.
Thanks for your suggestion.
Hi everyone!
I believe this nomination is just PR. Only in Soviet Union a cook was able to run State :), but as usual there is no way they do smt good, IMHO.
I guess hocky mom is a kind of cultural word.
I don’t have the exact same word in my language, so I thought what hocky mom was in the first place.
I am also an English learner and my teacher told me it comes from soccer mom.
She explained like usually people use soccur mom but not hocky mom, but in Sarah’s case, her place,
Alaska is too cold to play soccer! That’s why she says she is a hocky mom but not a soccer mom.
It’s really interesting to learn cultures through langusges.
This potcast site is perfect for me:)
Here are some suggestions for the following two posters:
nguyenlam Says:
September 6th, 2008 at 5:22 am
I really hope that she is a hockey mom. It will be good for the US. In my country, it seems that hockey moms like her are often so busy, and often lack the concentration for their children.
P/S: If I have any errors, please show them to me. I want to practice my writing skills. Thanks for everyone.
Joan Says:
September 8th, 2008 at 4:02 am
Hi Nguyenlam (what a strange name to me).
Like you, I would like to know if I have any mistakes in my writing. Thanks.
As far as I know, when you say “she is a really hockey mom” you should say “she is a real hockey mom” or maybe “she really is a hockey mom”. I think so but I’m also learning… OR I think so but I too am learning
I think I am a hockey mom!
Obviously she is groundbreaker and she seems enthusiast to hold her post as hopeful vice president for USA, infact i like her personality and her bend of backwards as mother and as previous governer