After further thought, of the 10 or so women in my family of my parent's generation (aunts and in-laws), only 2 of them completely embraced being a SAHM 100%. (My mom would be a third, but she got a college education and originally intended to work). Of the 2 - both were left divorced and penniless (one early on with small kids, and one later on in life - close to retirement).
With no educations or alternatives, it left them both in a pretty bad spot. Is this how women should be treated?????? No alternatives?
My mom is a tentative third, as she stayed home since I was born and has never returned to work. My childhood was decidedly not perfect. My dad worked twice as much so they could afford the arrangement, and my mom was miserable (no family or support since they moved many miles after my birth). My spouse's mom and sisters all worked, but they stayed home the first few years and shared child rearing (with their mother). I'd prefer to be raised in that manner, any day. My dh agrees he had the better childhood, though his mom spent much of it working. She was able to spend as much time home, with him. & he has a wonderfully close extended family.
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