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Why has the traditional role of a woman changed?

3/3/2015

7 Comments

 
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In the UK, only one woman in ten now stays at home to raise a family. This shift is relatively recent. Official figures show stay-at-home mums have dropped by more than a third in the past two decades to a historic low.

On the other hand, one stay-at-home dad in 100 brings up his children full-time.

The findings, published by the Office for National Statistics, come as the pressure on mothers to go out to work increases. The report said the number of adult women who do not work has dropped since 1980.

In 2014, more American Moms were staying home and they say that is the best option. The share of mothers who do not work outside the home rose over the past decade, reversing a long-term decline in stay-at-home mothers. (In the U.S., 71% of all mothers work outside the home.) Two-thirds are traditional married stay-at-home mothers with working husbands, but a growing number of mothers are unmarried.

Despite the fact that most mothers in the U.S. work at least part time, 60% of Americans say children are better off when a parent stays home to focus on the family, while 35% say they are just as well off when both parents work outside the home.


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Let's go back in history. Men and women hunted side by side, using their unique skills. When children came along, the woman needed to care for her brood and joined the hunt less, picking berries and digging roots to eat instead so she could keep an eye on the little ones crawling in the dirt. Man and woman developed different skills, he: strength and speed to focus on his target, she: caring and naturing while talking to other women and preparing food.

Society developed to accommodate the separate rolls right up until WW2 in England, when most of the men went overseas, leaving the women to take over their roles and work in factories as well as the land. With their new-found independence, women welcomed the freedom and the pay. No longer were they chained to the kitchen, acting only to feed and service their man. They had clout.

In my younger days, I looked after my three children, even took on more during the holidays when we would all explore the world around us. I taught them well—how to be kind and considerate, how to respect everyone else, and how to grow strong. Back in the 60s & 70s, women didn't work. I loved my role. What more important thing could I do than to shape the future generation? When the children left home, I used my divorced status to look after someone else's child while she pursued her career. I worked in catering after my second marriage because of lack of qualifications and skills, gaining independence and pay for my effort. Both these jobskills were part of my earlier life.

Now we're retired, my husband and I share home-making duties. In the most simplified form, he does the shopping, cooking and dishes, I do the clothes washing and ironing, and sweep the floors etc. But we're getting old and no longer have the fire and drive of a young person. We're content in each other's company.

What do you think of women leaving their children for others to raise? Should men and women go back to traditional roles?


7 Comments
Alana link
3/2/2015 07:26:29 pm

Up to the age of 12, I was cared for by a stay at home Mom. On the other hand, with my son, I took three months off after he was born and then had to go back to work. I think that both women - and men - should have the ability to step in and out of various roles. Otherwise, the full talents of those in our society are not utilized.

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Bethany M. link
3/2/2015 08:35:32 pm

I have always wanted to be a stay at home Mom (someday when I have kids), but I recognize that doesn't work for everybody. In some relationships it just works better for the Dad to stay at home. Every family is different, and unique which is a beauty all its own. :-)

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Diane link
3/2/2015 08:41:21 pm

I'm a believer in traditional roles and have been blessed to be able to be a stay at home Mom since the birth of our first, often in conjunction with a small family business. My own parents also had a small business that allowed Mom to always be there for us and I am forever grateful for such a role model.

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Amy link
3/2/2015 08:53:56 pm

I've been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for our 6 kiddos, but then my husband makes more than the average, and I always had a part-time job of sorts to pitch in to the family's coffers. Although I think every family has to work this out on their own, I think children--and parents--are happier and more secure if there is a parent at home, especially when the children are very small.

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Heather @ The Nerdy Fox link
3/2/2015 11:46:45 pm

I am a stay-at-home mom. I don't know if I would choose to go back to work if I didn't have to. I enjoy staying home but now my kids are getting to be school age and I am thinking that I'll find something to do while they're at school.

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Just Plain Marie link
3/3/2015 12:49:58 am

For me, personally, I am a stay-at-home mom with four young children. Even as they grow, I know I'll have plenty to do around here, and I doubt I will ever have an outside job.

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Ina Tales
3/4/2015 03:30:51 am

I tried to work while my son was small. I could not. The guilt was oveshadowing my salary slip. I envy all mothers who can make this happen. It is not an easy feat.

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    Francene Stanley
    From England, I use news items in my novels which you can see below, all linked to an Amazon near you.

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