Does anyone value traditional gender roles anymore?

Question

I'm just curious, my family is pretty traditional-(ie-father works, mother stays at home) & while I am in college I would like to be able to be stay at home with my children during their formative years, I know many families are 2 income but I was wondering if anyone values traditional gender roles at all anymore, in terms of wife staying at home & husband working?

Answer 1

I sure don't! If you want to live this way, that's fine, but don't assume that men and women are inherently suited for either of those roles, or that those roles are inherently suited for each s*x.

Answer 2

I definitely don't ! But as far as everyone else, they have their own opinions. Most people I've met don't value it at all. The last time I checked, there was no legal document that states that women have to stay home with the kids and men must go off to work everyday!

Answer 3

I don't see any value in roles merely for the sake of roles or "tradition." It's great that someone stays home and tends the home fires or the children if they can, but I don't think it matters what gender that person is.

Answer 4

I think they are quaint, like Dutch wooden shoes or tribal tattoos.  But, I don't value anything subjective.

Answer 5

There is nothing inherently wrong with traditional roles, as long as they are freely chosen.Personally, I like the challenge of keeping up in the business world and improving occupational skills. I find a sense of accomplishment in the world of work.

This not to say that a sense of accomplishment can't also be found at home. It also takes skills /creativity to run a household. Childcare, home maintenance, budgeting, emotional support, and other traditional tasks are valuable.

Yes, there is still value in tradition as long as it's not used as an excuse to restrict a man or women in their choices. Every person posesses their own set of talents and dreams, and should be able to express them in a way that is acceptable to the couple. If the traditional arrangement works for some, let it be. If it doesn't, that's okay, too.

Do what works for you.

Answer 6

My husband works and I stay home with our 4 boys.  really its not the fact of traditional roles I just don't like to be away from my boys  and I cant see paying someone else to raise my boys for me.   The cost of daycare is insane and so that helps to keep me home and the fact that my husband has a great job that lets us live comfortable.

Answer 7

Im sure that MANY households would prefer to be as yours is, however in this day and age..this is just not possible for most.  Most families don't have the luxury of having only one working parent.  Bills need to get paid.  This is not a matter of a person's "values" if they don't have the mother at home..its a matter of keeping the family fed, and a roof over everyone.

Answer 8

Of course they do.  Stay at home mothers and fathers are becoming more and more popular (from the sounds of things) and many are begining to appreciate parents who stay at home and raise their children (not put them in front of the TV).  I think if you can financially do it, and you want to do it, you should.

Answer 9

I definitely value these traditional roles--the ones (most) women really enjoy--mothering, nurturing, and being creative. There's nothing wrong with wanting this, don't let society tell you that you have to be a career woman and claw your way to the top to mean something in this world. It's not about money. It's about family and caring for other people. There's nothing wrong with wanting to work or meet your career goals, I just think that it has flipped way too far in that direction and we need to come back to a balance.

Answer 10

Not in my family. My mother has a degree from Europe, and she got her second degree in the US. She works, however her sister who is in Europe does not. I guess traditional gender roles are stronger in Europe then here in the US.

Answer 11

I don't value them as roles. I don't think tradition should be stuck to mindlessly, and I don't value tradition for the sake of it. If you *want* to do it fine, it's none of my business. But I don't like the assumption I should want to do this as well. And that's what "gender role" implies. And that's rubbish. I value free choice.

Answer 12

Nobody values it being FORCED upon others, but as long as the couple is happy, it's a beautiful thing.

Answer 13

The only thing that matters when talking about "tradition" is how the man and woman react to eacf othe.  My husband, although he doesn't allways practice it, has the perfect idea.  "Women are meant to rule the world, they just can't lift it.  That is where the big, dumb man comes in.  He is supposed to be the support system and the muscles.  That is all."

Answer 14

I like working. It's nice to have my own money. But I don't like working all the time. My husband doesn't really care what I do. I'm sure he would be happy if I stayed at home and cooked for him and pressed his uniforms every night, but he understands that I like to get out of the house on a daily basis. I only work part-time now. It may seem fun to stay at home, but it may drive you mad after a while. I've tried it.

My advice is to be open and honest with whomever you intend to marry. Make sure that they will respect your wishes either way. (It really should be a joint decision.) And make sure that you are financially stable enough to be a stay at home mom before you even think of having kids. That is an understanding that my husband and I have - when we have kids, I'm staying at home. I'm even going to homeschool our children.

Answer 15

I think you need to realize that, while people may not choose to do what you're doing, they may still value your choice.  I personally wouldn't want to be a stay-at-home mother, but I value the opinions and choices of those that want to do that.

Answer 16

In the US, two thirds of women with children under the age of 1 stay home full time, and about half of women with children under the age of 5 stay home all day. So there you go, you're not alone.

But as for me, I do not value traditional gender roles.

Answer 17

The "nuclear family" arrangement is not all that traditional. That is primarily a product of 1950s sitcoms...and even that wasn't real. Keep in mind those "housewives" were actresses!

Back in the old days (1800s and earlier) there were many kinds of living arrangements.  There were cases of multiple generations living together.  In rural and homesteading families in the West...EVERYONE worked. It was not unusual to see husband and wife owned businesses like general stores, hotels, restaurants...or both working as traveling performers.  Even as far back as Biblical times you can see many instances where there were women who weren't solely homemakers.   Even in primitive times. men were hunters, women were gatherers...each had jobs to do that were of equal value to their tribes.

Answer 18

I don't understand why there is a value placed on this. There are plenty of people who had good childhoods with both parents around who have become quite naughty in their older years.

I think tradition is something that can be changed, and should be depending on the family needs. For example, if my lady wants to work after having kids, who am I to say no?

I want what is best for me, my girl and my family. What everyone else thinks about that doesn't matter - they don't have to live with me.

Answer 19

i'd love to fit into a traditional female role - and have my man respect me as such and respect me for it.  i'd need to work, part time - cuz i'm used to it, but i WISH i could be a mom and take care of my family full time.

Answer 20

It's not that people don't value traditional roles anymore, it's just that most women want to work. They want to have the freedom to make money and support their families. Now, I don't have a problem with traditional roles, but I wasn't raised around a stay home mom and working father. I respect that you want to stay at home with your kids. It's just that traditional roles are practically gone. Stay at home mothers is a dying breed. I think it is because most women want to be independent and make their own money. However, every one is intitled to do what they want to do as a living. In all honesty, I respect you for your choice to stay at home with your kids, it's just not something I would want to do.

Answer 21

It is 2008.

More people have divorced parents.

Women at least need a part time job to feed her kids. When she is working there is daycare, husband, family etc.

Answer 22

I moved from Honolulu, HI to Pullman, WA. In Hawaii a 2+ income home is almost mandatory. In Pullman, WA I know alot of old fashioned folks. One big aspect is, where you live. I know lots of mothers specifically that stay home and work. They work from the internet, phones, in home business and so much more. There is nothing right or wrong about the way you and your partner choose to live your lives. As long as it makes you and your family happy. Any more than people can tell my wife and I how to live and raise our children. I would love it if a man made enought o support the family. Reality is, it's very hard to do unless you've got a college education and an outstanding job that pays top dollar.

Answer 23

Only  traditional people will value "gender roles",but i think people should choose freelly what their roles should be.

Answer 24

All roles should be respected and that includes traditional gender roles.  Sounds to me like some people here are rejecting them just because they can rather than because they should.  If traditional works for you then good for you, find what works and ignore the idiots.

Answer 25

I think it is best for a mother to spend the first 3 to 5 years of the child's life to be the primary caregiver if possible. There are reports that show the mother being around for the first few years is best for the child, but the tentacles of feminism suppress anything that shows how bad it can be.

Answer 26

Gender roles, and attitudes towards your own gender, and the other gender tell how you value the fundamentals of life.

Western societies value the "choice" to value this or that ... however, the choices usually omit many of the fundamental factors that people should evaluate to make an informed decision.

Sure women's rights were started with "Right to Vote" ... but now that we have it ... fewer men & women look at the canidates, judges, votting issues, and look for the real answers to what they're voting on.  Then they send campaigns out to "Get out and Vote" ... which means nothing, if the voter doesn't understand what they're voting on.

We see the same things with gender ... people make judgements based off a quick marketing quotes, saying, or past life experiences ... and rarely do eithor of the genders look at the beauty of gender roles; but rather find ways to tear them down because of past pain.

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Cheese Sandwhich - the insinuation is of your own mind; again from your own insecurites ... the point of voting is society currently doesn't do well with it's choices given as a gift to it.

Answer 27

I've discovered through my relationships over the years that I'll settle for no less than a traditional woman.  Non traditional are just too much hassle.  Constantly nagging, thinking they get whatever they want just because they're a woman.  Rather annoying, really.

One really easy guideline to weed out a bad woman.  Ask her if she's ever nagged her previous boyfriends.  Then if she says yes, ask her why.  If she says anything like, "Well if he just did it the first time, I wouldn't have to nag."  Then, she's only worth a few nights of your time.  Trust me, it'll save you a world of headache to DTB (Dump that B)

Answer 28

I believe that traditional values in a relationship are very important.

Answer 29

I value whatever makes a person happy

If you are someone that is happy being a sahm then that is what you should be

if you are happy being a career woman that is what you should be.

its like in that movie Sister Act 2 when Sister Mary Clarice tells the one girl " If you get up in the morning and all you can think about is singing, Then you're supposed to be a singer"

Basically do whatever makes YOU happy.

Answer 30

I think that more people adhere to gender roles, then most of us realize. If the majority of the population is adhering to gender roles, and you're not noticing it, then you're living in your own PC bubble, that does not reflect objective reality.

Answer 31

I greatly support the feminist movement and the important opportunities it has opened up for women. In addition, I believe that when two people choose to create a family, they both have a responsibility to make sure that the person that they have brought into the world gets a healthy start to his / her life. Some people might say that the only way for this to work out is if the baby is raised by a housewife and a working husband, and I do not disagree that that situation is a good one. I only want to say that there is nothing wrong with a stay at home father and a working mother! As long as each person feels fulfillment in their role and together they create a healthy living environment for their children, I really do not see a problem with any situation.

P.S.

Giggly Giraffe, please do not insinuate that people act that way towards elections due to the fact that women gained the right to vote! Women's suffrage was won in 1920, and it wasn't until recently that America has seen disinterest in its right to vote...