How do i deal with this assertion?

[Randy_Carson]

being told that just because the church hasn’t spoken out against something, doesn’t make it right?

for example, in regards to working mothers and women wearing certain clothing or working n certain professions. I’ve been told that we as cahtolics should know that it’s wrong without the church having to say so and that just because the church hasn’t said anything doesn’t mean anything. then they give examples of how the church tolerated things such as the castrati or spoke out on important subjects later on after the fact. African slave trade, or other such things.

unfortunately, they make a bit of a point and I don’t know how to feel about it.

Galatians 5:1
5 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

If the Catholic Church has not prohibited something, then you are free to enjoy it.

If wearing pants WAS important, we would have heard long ago.

 

[Randy_Carson]

do you think it’s possible to have a society where women are not compelled to work outside the home but can if they choose? if they feel it will help lead others to God and benefit them emotionally and mentally.?

that’s themorality I’m struggling with

I’ve been married for 25 years, and our first child was born after our fourth anniversary. My wife has never worked outside the home since that time nor does our society compel her to do so.

 

[agnes_therese]

do you think it’s possible to have a society where women are not compelled to work outside the home but can if they choose? if they feel it will help lead others to God and benefit them emotionally and mentally.?

that’s themorality I’m struggling with

Of course women can work outside the home. If you believe everything that everyone in the world says, you’ll go crazy. Listen to the Church. The Church does NOT teach that women can’t work outside the home.

 

[Contarini]

so a married woman with children shouldn’t be able to also have a career if she feels like she is helping God?

I’m aware of the encyclicles you speak of, but it seems like the church doesn’t really teach that anymmore

The principle, it seems to me, is that work shouldn’t consume one’s life and shouldn’t get in the way of caring for one’s family. We need a different model of work for both men and women.

It may be that more women than men will always feel the call to focus primarily on their children, but some men experience that call and some women don’t. And ideally it wouldn’t be such a stark choice–both parents would be able to care for their children and also pursue their gifts and callings in ways that benefit people outside the circle of the family.

No one should have all her energies directed inward to the small circle of the nuclear family. It isn’t healthy for anyone, man or woman.

But similarly, no one should be exhausted and consumed by a job so that he can’t enjoy and care for his family. That’s not healthy for anyone, woman or man.

We need a new model of work and the relationship between work and family for everyone.

Edwin

 

[Contarini]

do you think it’s possible to have a society where women are not compelled to work outside the home but can if they choose? if they feel it will help lead others to God and benefit them emotionally and mentally.?

that’s themorality I’m struggling with

I don’t see why not. I don’t see why you need to struggle about this. Pursue your gifts and calling with all your heart. Love God and love your neighbor. Rejoice in God’s creation and in the knowledge and skills you are able to acquire. If and when you decide to get married, work out with your future husband how you will balance work and family together. It’s a very hypothetical concern right now for you.

But be sure to marry someone who respects your gifts and does not simply view you as a convenient housekeeper who will “mind the house” while he pursues his dreams. Unless of course that’s where your gifts primarily lie, but this issue wouldn’t be bothering you so much if that were the case.

Edwin

 

[sw85]

do you think it’s possible to have a society where women are not compelled to work outside the home but can if they choose? if they feel it will help lead others to God and benefit them emotionally and mentally.?

that’s themorality I’m struggling with

You are asking a prudential question, not a moral one, is what I’m saying. That’s a question of tactics. Morality tells us the ends we can pursue and, to a limited extent, the means by which we can pursue it. Prudence tells us the best means of pursuing it.

 

[Joan92]

Angel,
If you chat often enough and for long enough, you’ll encounter women who share this value in every parish (maybe even every Christian church too), it’s just a preference and not at all church doctrine. It isn’t sinful to have an outside job when you are a mother. Remember Saint Gianna Molla Beretta? A practicing pediatrician, with a family. But sure, I so totally know the “all skirt wearing, look down their nose at women working” gals too. It’s fine. That’s life, you’ll always find folks who ardently believe that their personal devotions or acts of piety are the lynch pins to salvation. The beautiful thing is, that for them, maybe it IS their path to holiness–but it’s a personal preference based on unique family circumstances.

So, being only at home with children isn’t the only path to sanctity nor is working outside the home. It’s not either/or, right/wrong but rather one must know, love and serve God by honoring their responsibilities (in order of highest good ie health and safety of children’s needs, then work, then social etc) and then seeking to offer up any and all actions, when done well, with the right intention for the love of a God.

A wise woman said once, to my friend who was worried about working while her kids were little, never forget that work is a good thing. We were made to work and create. Work can be made holy. It was supposed to be what made human beings happy…as Adam and Eve were working in the garden of Eden before original sin.

Just my 2 cents.