It has now been a well established fact that women pursue careers at nearly the same rate as men and they work fulltime at nearly the same rate as men. Those numbers have steadily increased for the last three decades. This has been the case long enough to help us create an informed opinion about the impact of these developments.
So, here are a few questions"
- Has women working fulltime outside the home been a good or bad development for the American family?
I believe it has been a good development for the American family. With women now choosing to continue going to school if that’s what they want, and getting higher educations, I see a vast improvement from when my grandmother didn’t complete the 8th grade because she was just a girl, and when my mom got an associates degree in business because that was the best she could do because she was expected to get married, and then when I earned a double bachelor’s degree and am now a nurse because I can accomplish my goals. Very big improvement. When all members of the family can reach for their dreams by their hard work, I think it can only make a family better and stronger. I know stay at home moms, and I know moms who work outside the home, and as long as it’s their choice, the whole family is happier.
- Has our culture improved since women entered the workforce in massive numbers?
Yes it has. To have both partners in a marriage educated and contributing financially is a positive effect. It’s not that women have to work outside the home that is positive, because they have their hands full with home responsibilities. It’s the fact that they have a choice, and can choose either way that has a positive effect.
- Are our children better or worse off?
They’re better off because they learn to get along with their peers better, they become more independent, and they use both parents as models and sources of inspiration. There was a time when girls thought that all they could do is grow up and get married and stay at home, having to stifle any dreams of becoming anything other than a school teacher or maybe a nurse. Now they can reach for those dreams because they’ve seen their moms and grandmothers do it. If a woman wants to stay at home and run a household, that’s their choice. If a child aspires to become a lawyer, doctor, accountant, tax preparer, emergency medical personnel, firefighter, teacher, welder, contractor, painter…she can reach for those dreams and not have to stifle them. That’s a good thing and everyone is better off.
- Has women working fulltime made this nation stronger, weaker, or no impact?
It has made this nation stronger where accomplishing goals is made into reality by one’s own diligence and hard work, rather than having to throw in the towel in defeat and humilation because one can’t reach for those dreams simply because they’re female. I can’t imagine being so suppressed. What an awful world to live in. That would be Hell. Having both parties work together to achieve not only their personal goals, but common goals - whatever their goals are - makes our nation stronger.
- Have our children become stronger or weaker in the faith?
I’ve seen the most religious of families be stronger in the faith, and weaker in the faith. The one thing I’ve correlated between stonger faith and family values is that if the father and mother go to Church regularly, the children are more inclined to do so later when they have a choice. If either parent doesn’t attend regularly without a valid excuse, the children are more likely to not go later. The women working in the family doesn’t mean that she cannot attend mass, and even if one or both parents have to be absent for a while, it’s not forever. That’s usually a temporary situation. If the parents are strong in the faith, their children are more likely to be…that has nothing to do with the woman working or not working.
Add on question for married couples:
- Would women prefer to work and let their husbands stay at home and care for their children? Or, would women rather both spouses work?
I’m not married yet, but I wouldn’t mind letting my future husband stay at home and care for the kids and farm…if that’s what he does. And some men do it very well. If I can make enough to support the whole family (unlikely considering today’s economy), then I wouldn’t mind if he stayed home and ran the fort. If I’m working full time, and he’s staying at home, when I come home from work, I want to do nothing more than helping where he didn’t have time to finish, tying up loose ends, and spending time with children together. I’m lucky…I work three or four 12-hour shifts in a row. When I come home, during those work days I don’t have very much time or energy to do much, before going to bed. But there are three to five other days in a row that I can do a lot. But if future hubby chooses to hold down the fort for those three or four days, completely by himself, he’s home free the rest of the days because I’ll be home with him. I think working five 8-hour days is more restrictive…but that’s just me…
However, if my salary is not enough, I do expect him to go out and get a job and earn some income. Just because a woman works, doesn’t mean she’s not a mom too and not still responsible for running the fort. Therefore, it should be the same for the man. If it’s needed for him to go out and get a job, then he should. In an ideal situation, both parents work and both parents run the fort.
You view is very important here.