More often than not, the husband makes more money in his job/career, and so it would be impractical and even foolhardy for him to give up the job/career for the wife.
I think that in most marriages, the wise thing to do is allow the spouse (husband OR wife), who is bringing home the biggest paycheck to continue to work/follow career, and allow the spouse with the smaller paycheck to “give up” that job/career if there are compelling reasons (e.g., a move, child care, a family illness, a military assignment, a mission field, etc.).
Of course, every case must be considered individually. E.g., a Protestant pastor will be assigned to different churches during his lifetime (depending on the denomination). This means packing up and moving, sometimes on very little notice. A woman who marries a Protestant pastor must recognize this and be willing to do this for her husband; otherwise, she shouldn’t marry him. A woman who has a career that will not allow her to move or give up that career should think very carefully about any decision to marry.
Also, we need to differentiate between a “job” and a “career.” I think many men and women would gladly, joyously, giddily, with bells on their toes, give up a “job.” I know I sure would! Yippee ki yi ay! And I would dance and sing as I ran out the door! (And I don’t even know how to dance, and I can’t run because of my feet!)
But a career–that implies something that someone has aspired to since childhood and has prepared for, studied for, and sacrificed for. Christians might even say that they are “called” to their career, especially if that career is a “service” career like health care or teaching. To “give up a career” is not a decision that is easily made, because a whole new “calling” must trump the old calling.
