The adventures of Mommy woman
We need to change society's view
Published on February 23, 2004 By JillUser In Home & Family
We as a society, meaning the majority of us, seem to view homemaking as something that anyone could do therefore it isn't a real job. If you are a homemaker and your spouse/partner isn't doing "their part" you must be subservient. And there seems to be no consideration of how well you do your job or how many tasks are included in your job. Sure, anyone could do almost any given part, but few could do all that a homemaker does.

Then there are those that seem conflicted in their view. They state how hard homemaking is but still don't treat it like a "real" job. I will give an example: (Keep in mind, I think these people mean well, they just aren't thinking it through.) Someone suggests to the homemaker "You deserve to have a vacation. Let your spouse take over for a couple of days". Does the homemaker ever take over the spouse's job so they can have a vacation? Don't think so. Now you might argue, the spouse gets vacation days through work. My rebuttal to that is, the spouse's job doesn't get taken over during that vacation. All that work is waiting to be caught up when he/she returns.

People often say they know what a demanding job homemaking is. Some even go as far to say that they couldn't do it. That they have a job outside the home as an escape. When you are a homemaker you never have a punch out time. You do however have a lot more control over how you use your time to accomplish your tasks. You might be able to stay in your PJs until noon but then you also have to be the one to doctor your family all night when they are sick and have the responsibility that everyone is getting to their appointments, eating well, are clothed, etc. Saturday and Sunday are just like any other work day (except you usually get to sleep a little later).

There are advantages and disadvantages to every job. I personally am very proud of my job as a homemaker. My husband and I decided that would be a priority for our family at least for as long as we have children at home. We have a wonderful home and a healthy, stable family. We don't have that just because my husband makes a lot of money. We are partners in life. He can do what he does because I do what I do and vice versa. I am an equal partner. My husband doesn't cook or do laundry and I don't run the business. I actually prefer him not doing stuff around the house because I am a bit of a control freak He helps out when I can't due to illness. That is all I would ever ask.

So the next time you ask someone "So what do you do?" and they say "I stay at home." Don't just say "Oh, that's nice." Try saying "So how are things going?" or "How are you liking it?" since that is usually how the conversation goes with those who have "real" jobs.

Comments (Page 3)
4 Pages1 2 3 4 
on Feb 24, 2004
debidoll, I totally agree that women should establish themselves before having a family. My parents raised me to get a degree and be prepared to take care of myself first then have a family. I did that. I have a degree in applied math/computer science. I worked up until having children. I still work part time for the business we own so I am fortunate enough to not be totally cut off from the work world. Another example is a cousin of my husband's who taught school until she had her second child. She now has 5 children! She is a stay at home Mom, and BTW her husband isn't wealthy monetarily, and she still does some evening teaching jobs occasionally as well as coaching soccer and participating in a coed soccer league with her husband.

I think that planning for divorce is not necessarily the right outlook. I am old school on marriage though. I know that divorce happens to wonderful people who would never have imagined it though. You should have a plan B for loss of spouse due to any reason. If your spouse dies or is incapacitated, you need to have some idea of how your family will get by.

You don't have to be wealthy to have a parent stay at home. You have to be willing to budget carefully and go without some of the amenities that you would otherwise have. Our cousin who has 5 kids is one of the most outstanding parents and people I have ever met. She stays up on the outside world and keeps a very tidy, stable, comfortable home. I couldn't handle it the way she does.

BTW, just because someone has a lot of kids doesn't mean they are good parents but if they do well with 5 kids, that means they are incredible parents!
on Feb 24, 2004
Thanks GCJ, I am feeling better but still taking antibiotics for that stupid sinus infection. At least I can blame my airheadedness on the sinuses
on Feb 24, 2004
One more comment, to those of you moms that don't stay at home, just like any other job, it isn't for everyone. I know plenty of women who have tried it and were miserable. It wasn't because they were bored. I know a lot of people just picture women sitting at home watching soaps, eating, and vacuumming. It is one of those jobs that can include very little or an enormous amount. It all depends on what you want out of it.

I don't think that it is best for the child if the parent is at home and miserable. They need to have satisfaction in what they are doing in order for it to work. Everyone has different circumstances that determine how they deal with their lives. I am just suggesting that people accept homemaking as one of those valid career choices. After all, daycare workers haver real jobs. Maids, cooks, drycleaners, chaufers, personal assitants, travel agents, party planners, etc have "real jobs". Homemakers do all of those things.
on Feb 24, 2004
I am just suggesting that people accept homemaking as one of those valid career choices. After all, daycare workers haver real jobs. Maids, cooks, drycleaners, chaufers, personal assitants, travel agents, party planners, etc have "real jobs". Homemakers do all of those things.


WooHoo!! Absolutely and I thank you for making this post! It validates my proposal in somany ways!!!
on Feb 24, 2004
But how often can/does your wife go out with friends, and how often do the two of you go out together, without the children?


I don't think I've ever refused to watch the kids when my wife has wanted to go out with friends. My wife and I also try to go out once per week alone on a "date".
on Feb 24, 2004
I am just suggesting that people accept homemaking as one of those valid career choices. After all, daycare workers haver real jobs. Maids, cooks, drycleaners, chaufers, personal assitants, travel agents, party planners, etc have "real jobs". Homemakers do all of those things.

It's fair of you to feel this way and ask for acceptance, but IMO - you really shouldn't be looking for validation in the choices you've made, especially if you and your family are happy.

Thinking about it - my personal opinion is that homemaking is not a job, if only for the fact that calling something a "job" DEVALUES it. Staying at home to raise the children and take care of running the house should be worthy in it's own right. This was my original point - you don't get paid for it (unlike daycare workers) - and that IS A GOOD THING - it makes your intentions more "pure" in a way.

It might be more accurate to think of it as a "noble calling" - like ministry, or volunteer work, or some of the other undervalued "real jobs" we have such as teachers, ecologists, and.. well poet-philosophers. =D

Once you call homemaking a job, you get put in the same bucket as Donald Trump and Kenneth Lay. Dig?

So... get over the "real job" thing, and I think you will be secure in your choice when you see your children grown up and exceeding all your hopes and expectations of what you thought they could become.

Also

Enjoy the ride.
on Feb 24, 2004

Lol... 'dig'... hippy...

"It's fair of you to feel this way and ask for acceptance, but IMO - you really shouldn't be looking for validation in the choices you've made, especially if you and your family are happy."

It isn't validation. Children do the validating. If no one here needed to vent about their beliefs being misunderstood or mischaracterized, would there be any posts?  Few, anyway. 

People explain it this way because of pigheaded people who don't consider it 'labor'. In order to make said idiots understand you have to equate it to a 'job'. This isn't a matter of degrading what is being described, it is translating it into Neanderthal for those who differ.

on Feb 24, 2004
Poet, I am glad that you expanded you view but you missed my point. You are being far too literal. I am not looking for validation. I am very secure in what I do. That doesn't mean I appreciate the constant condescendance I recieve. I missed the progression from homemaking being a job and being in the same "bucket " as corporate sleaze.

Ministers, volunteer workers, teachers etc still get treated like they actually work. Homemakers in general aren't looked at in that same view.

BakerStreet, thanks for the clarification. I am just trying to point out that a lot of people have a instant reaction to homemaking as really doing nothing. You either work or stay at home. That is the attitude I am fighting against. I am very happy with and proud of what I do but can still see unmerited attitudes come from friends and others. Sure you can try to say you shouldn't care what others think. Nice in sentiment but in reality most of us guage ourselves in some respect to how others see us.
on Feb 24, 2004
It's fair of you to feel this way and ask for acceptance, but IMO - you really shouldn't be looking for validation in the choices you've made, especially if you and your family are happy.

Looking for validation? I don't think any of us who stay at home are looking for validation...the only validation I will ever need comes from seeing my children grow into responsible, caring, loving adults.
on Feb 24, 2004
Homemaking is a real job--but it is only open to those who are married to a man or woman rich enough to support them.


If rich is making $35k per year or more than we agree.
on Feb 25, 2004
I know many people, including my family, who have had lived happily as such making quite a bit less than 35k a year. The choices usually come down to '15k+ for a new car, or 2k for a used one." We pay almost 500 a month in health insurance alone, and it is difficult, but I find the hardships worthwhile for the time being.

Others have more demands, and I don't fault them. I don't think this thread was every about demeaning folks that don't live this way, rather how people who do opt to are often demeaned.
on Feb 25, 2004
Feb Fast Company. Interesting read: http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/79/women.html
on Feb 29, 2004
I'm a youngin, so maybe that's why I don't see the world as the same when it comes to the 'stigma' around the homemaker area.
I just don't see a stigma, period. Maybe it's left-over sentiments from the Corporation 80's generation that was rebelling against the 50's? To hell if I know.

In all actuallity, when I do settle down it would be with someone who agreed someone has to be the "homemaker"... I think society as a whole needs MORE of them, regardless if it is the father/mother/husband/wife.. Maybe alot of problems we discuss here on joeuser could get a swift dent in the keister if there was a more family unit thing going on.

Hopefully more in my generation group agree that staying at home and doing those nessecary vital things is important, not something to look down on and scoff about..
on Feb 29, 2004
Lunaticus, well said. I guarantee you would see the stigma right away if you were a homemaker. It is very wise to discuss those sorts of things before settling down.
on Mar 01, 2004
I'm a homebody myself and value beyond belief a clean well-managed household. It's a machine that needs constant maintanence, including regular oilings of that green funny paper called money. I pity da fools who laugh at homemakers.
4 Pages1 2 3 4