Is it sinful for a mother to work fulltime outside the home?

[Reena]

I intend to marry and have a family. I agree with the Church’s teaching on birth control, and will not use it, and will be generous with the number of children I will have.

At the same time, I also intend to work fulltime throughout my whole life whether it is financially necessary or not. I intend to arrange for my children to be taken care of during the day by either their grandparents or a well-qualified nanny.

I have seen that some Catholics think that this goes against Church teaching. I am wondering if it is in any way a mortal sin.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

No, it is not sinful for a mother to work fulltime outside the home, particularly if it is financially necessary but even when it is not. That said, if it is not financially necessary for a mother to work fulltime outside the home, there is still the question of whether it is *prudent *of her to do so. When one has the financial stability and luxury of staying at home with one’s children, why would a mother not want to make that her fulltime job rather than either recruiting or employing others to take up part of the task for her?

Raising children is among the most difficult, most rewarding tasks with which human beings can be entrusted by God. During a child’s formative years, having the mother home fulltime is a huge asset to that child’s development. If you are capable of providing that for your child, you might want to ask yourself if another career can wait a few years.