I believe that if a woman wants to work she can do whatever she wants. it is her choice. I believe that if they want to stay home and be a housewife that is fine too. Don't sell yourself short. You may not have discovered your skill and potential yet. The fact that you are a freethinker that has not followed the masses into a religious dogma, proves that your intelligence level is above many of the rest of society.

I would love to be a stay at home mom. But, working is what I have to do for my family to survive. I feel it's whatever is best for you that matters the most. I've worked since I was 15, so it's just part of who I am.

Wow! I did not expect to get so much feedback! It is interesting to read everyone's opinions! Like I said I am going to go into child care because I do need to be independent. But remember, being a house wife doesn't necessarily mean you have to have kids! If I was fortunate enough to be a house wife, I would not just be home lazing around all day. I'd make sure the house was clean and food was ready for when the husband got home; as someone mentioned before which is exactly what I would do, I would go and help out the community, whether it was helping out the seniors, the homeless, or help get things done that needed to be done in the community. I think it is very fulfilling to be able to lead a life like that. Though, I do understand not everyone has this luxury. Both of my parent's worked until mom got really sick, they told her if she was better in 6 months, they would happily take her back and she would still be making the amount she made when she quit! But, her health issues lasted for a year, and her health would fluctuate so she stayed home and took care of me. She is the hardest working woman I know other than my sister and I admire them for it! She has tried to go back to work in the past couple of years due to the increase on prices on things and her social security (I was raised by older people, old enough to be my great grandparents) and dad's income isn't enough. He can't retire though because he wouldn't make enough through social security because as a young adult he had amazing jobs that made super well, but he got paid under the table so to speak. I see how hard it is and I am thankful they let me still live at home to go to college. So, I do know I need to work to bring home the bacon if you don't have the fortune of being able to stay at home! It's just a dream and I wanted to know everyone else's opinion of this old fashioned way. I call it old fashioned because I know a lot of women DO NOT want this and prefer to work, which I totally get! My mom has gone crazy not being able to work (no one will hire her due to her age), so I admire all of you who love working! In my area, this is not so old fashioned due to this being a large military town and a lot of the women stay home to take care of the kids. Thank you all for your feedback! Happy Holidays!!

Good God! (Yes, I know) is this the 21st century in the 'developed' world?

Whatever makes people happy. If a man can support the family and the wife wants to stay at home, that's beautiful.

You do you. There is no wrong answer so long as you're happy and nobody else is adversely impacted. I hate doing housework, personally, and would love to just work and have a housewife, but I'd probably be equally happy having a wife who also works and hiring a maid service, I think.

Having defined rolls like that are less important than functionality. Every couple will and should be different, what works for one won't work for all.

I’d be all for it if jobs paid enough. On the other hand, women have fought and died to have the same rights as men. I value their ambition to want to work and have careers.

I have been a house wife. I also have had a career.
Both were just as rewarding. You can reinvent yourself the sky's the limit.

I'm that way. I prefer to take care of things... But I will say that whoever I'm with has to uphold their end of the relationship. The last girl I was with I moved into my apartment, I bought all of her food, paid for her school, clothes, all the dates we went on, rent, everything. The only things she had to pay for was her car and cell phone. I was %100 fine with that arrangement. But after a while she started acting like she was taking it for granted. Always had attitude toward me, even when we were out somewhere and I had just spent like $200 on her that day. She didn't like to cuddle or have sex. Started talking to me like I was stupid or something. I'm not sure if she got a false sense of entitlement or what but ended up breaking up with her after about a year of that. If you're a giver in a relationship... you really need to be with another giver or you end up getting sucked dry emotionally. It's not about the money!

May I take issue with something you've said? Raising children and caring for a home takes MANY SKILLS (not to mention multi-tasking!) So..please don't denigrate yourself for not working outside your home.

Love, Mom

I believe women and men can be home makers if that couple wishes... we all have different aspirations.