I wouldn't mind being a housedad... why do many feminists think the concept of a housewife is so terrible?

Question

Heck, if my future wife makes enough money to support the family I'd love to get to stay at home with the kids. I could watch tv or do whatever. Maybe take up a few enjoyable hobbies or take the kids to the park. Sounds like a pretty good gig to me. Why do many feminists think its degrading to be a housewife?

Answer 1

I think that being a housewife is the hardest job in the world! I used to have a full time job and loved it until I had my first baby and never wanted to go back. Children change you that's for sure!

Answer 2

Being a housewife isn't what's terrible; being forced into that role is what most women seem to have a problem with.

Personally, I don't mind it if other women want to be homemakers. I think it's a perfectly fine choice to make. But it's not the path I want to take for myself, and I am glad that other options are available to me. Women like me, who want to have a career outside the home, sometimes bristle when others judge us negatively for making that choice. Some might take it to the extreme of resenting women who choose to be homemakers, but I'd like to think they are in the minority.

Answer 3

Many don't have a problem with it. Sometimes you just have to worry about the crazies.

Answer 4

because they like you dont see being a housewife as a real contribution

Answer 5

You have to do the laundry, vaccuum, clean, cook meals, make sure the kids are behaving and entertain them, drive them everywhere they need to go.

Sure I think that it's better than some jobs and isn't terrible. But it's not all R&R, you know. There are many chores to be done.

And feminists don't necessarily hate the concept of housewife. What they hate is how men have deemed it MANDATORY in the past--men work, women stay home all day. They hate that society EXPECTS this from them. Women should have a choice, just like anyone else.

Answer 6

The feminist usually only get upset with the women with a college education, because they think they are throwing away their education.

Answer 7

because we are adults, not children looking for someone to support us

Answer 8

Try doing the things you just described for hundreds of years. At the same time, have a superior, muscular, female beat the h**l out of you if dinner isn't on the table at 6. Oh, and by the way, if you go to the cops, you're the one in trouble, seeing as you are the lesser gender. Any activity you do, any communication you have, all the things you thought you have control over, now have to be approved by the other gender before being done. Your opinion doesn't matter, your thoughts don't count, and your feelings are your business, no one elses.

Next time think with the head attached to your shoulders. The house wive of the 21st century may have it pretty good, as you so eagerly describe, but you don't have to also be the lawfully defined "lesser gender" too. You're still a guy. Get over your ignorance.

Answer 9

I think that extremist think that being a housewife is a bad thing.  As a feminist I see nothing wrong with it; I think it is important and if you have the opportunity your lucky.  I think its sad that housewives assume feminist think they are degraded.  I think that a housewife or husband should teach their kids all the world has to offer and not breed the horrible people we see on here all the time; the closed minded male/female stereotypes.  I know a few househusbands they love it... I think its awesome.

Answer 10

Because we have all become obsessed with work, and believe that being in paid employment is the only valid way to spend  our time.  It's a complete reversal of the situation fifty years ago, when improved standards of living meant that many women who had worked could afford to give it up and stay at home, and, amazingly enough, considered themselves fortunate to be able to do so.  Now we are supposed to pity these women who were only too glad to escape from the dreariness of the workplace.

A lot of women say "I'd be bored staying at home with the children" yet, mysteriously, they expect other women to not be bored looking after their offspring.  I often wonder why, if they find their children so boring, they don't expect others to be equally bored by them.

Answer 11

I think its more so the principal that housewives always put down women who work and women who work alwasy put down house wives.

Women who work are housewives, with jobs.

I also think that women who work consider housewives to be unrealistic and too dependent. Most don't  have plans for an unfortunate event (such as husband diying or getting injured and not being able to work.) Or even a divorse (even if you get half of everything he owns, when the kids grow up then what?) Outside of the family there isn't anything stable for them.

Being a house wife isn't bad as long as you do a good job, don't complain (after all it was your decision), and mind the other women who made a decision to work.

So to me thats really what its based off of. Housewives don't like working moms, and working moms don't like housewives. Just a pointless argument to make one woman sound more important then the other. To me women seem to forget that men are parents too and need to play a role in the childs life. A patrents duties should be 50/50. If you can't teach your child that then you've taught them nothing at all.

IF you have a family and a loving husband, Who cares, just enjoy your life and let other people enjoy theirs.

Answer 12

It's not degrading, it's just a choice I wouldn't make.  

Yeah, you stay home with the kids and take care of the house.  See how much time you have for enjoyable hobbies and watching TV.

Answer 13

Remember you would have to do the housework, so it won't all be vacation land.

Answer 14

You obviously have no concept of what it takes to effectively run a home ad family.

You think stay at home moms just sit around and watch TV all day? or hang out at the park?  Think again.

That attitude is EXACTLY why feminists object to the concept of staying at home.  Men have no clue.  

If the job were a bit better appreciated by the husbands who work, perhaps more women would find it less distasteful themselves.

Answer 15

Exactly!   My wife is working on her PhD, she is smarter than I will ever be, she'll make more money than I ever will; I don't see a problem with being a house husband if she can make enough money for the family and not feel stressed about it.

Answer 16

For the most part, by evidence of the self-proclaimed feminists here among others with whom I've spoken and listened to/read, feminists are supportive of housewives. Go ahead and ask a question to the feminists on here about their opinion of housewives. The vast majority do not believe it is degrading. But of course there are some feminists who find housewives offensive, but then again I'm sure somebody would find anybody's life choices offensive. For example I live with my boyfriend out of wedlock. There is a whole group of people who disapprove of my lifestyle. My question is why are some of you so hellbent on the thought that feminists disapprove of housewives? That is not the case, and it seems that whenever someone brings up a question like this, they are just trying to start an argument by creating a villain where there is none.

Like others have said, most feminists do not find being a housewife offensive. They find the expectation that ALL women should be housewives to be offensive. There is quite a difference.

Answer 17

Uh, you've completely misunderstood what the vast majority of feminists have been saying.

We've been saying that no one should be FORCED to be a house-person; or told that's all they can do and given no choice.

If that's what you want (assuming you can afford it, which very few families can), then go for it.

No one has suggested outlawing house-spousing, or preventing anyone who choses it from doing so.

We're just saying it's not right to insist that, just because someone's reproductive organs are inside, rather than outside, their body, that that's all they should be able to do.

If a person is interested in other things, then saying they can't pursue them, but MUST stay home and clean house is just wrong.

Answer 18

They don't. If you notice on here, it's only men who critise feminists say 'Feminists hate housewives' \i've never actualy heard a feminist say that. Afterall the whole poinbt of womnes lib is choice.

Answer 19

Speaking my language, friend, speaking my language.

Baba Yaga,

I love playing with kids and still enjoy video games.  So I would be fine with the younguns.

Answer 20

It's not terrible for people who actually want to do it. But I hate not being able to work. I need work.