The Modern Housewife

Mrs. Jane Doe traditionally rises at dawn, prepares breakfast for her husband and children and spends the day doing chores. But due to the feminist revolution, the way Mrs. Doe spends her day has been deemed offensive. Some say Mrs. Doe should stay home, nurture the children and iron John Doe's work suits. Others say she should pursue an education and seek gainful employment. Others say it is a balancing act; the modern housewife is a woman who juggles both in a fulfilling way.

There are myriad websites that glorify the idea of a 'retro-housewife," a concept much different than the wives who slaved in the kitchen during the 1950s. According to Brocantehome.com, a website that embraces staying at home, "The modern housewife's lifestyle is a show of respect - respect for ourselves and others. Housewives dress each morning just as if they're going to an outside job because keeping house and caring for families is a job. It's a serious job."

While cleaning and cooking is indeed serious work to the women with the job, feminists find this act almost retrograde; they support striking a balance. Feminists stress the idea that choosing a housewife lifestyle is a choice, but gaining an education should be a main priority and aspiration - in addition to marriage and children.

On the site retro-housewife.com, a feminist contributing writer said, "I very strongly believe in equity in relationships. [I would never accept a marriage] where I get excitement out of new cleaning products or recipes."

According to a recent study entitled "Gender Equity in Higher Education: 2006," which was conducted by the American Council on Education (ACE) and published on WomenInHigherEducation.com, females made up 58 percent of undergraduates in 2003 - 2004. Of the 40 percent of those undergraduates who were 25 or older, women have made up 62 percent since 2000. Jacqueline E. King, author of the ACE study, said 'Overall women are now 57 percent of all college students."

Many women who actively pursue education ultimately go on to lead to a career-oriented life, but the housewife movement hasn't dissipated. Many women keep jobs while being a homemaker or obtain degrees and return to the kitchen.

"I think some women really want an education and value it, but some just go through the motions and end up getting married," said sophomore and women's and gender studies major Jennifer Garvey. "Women have come so far to get to where we are now; it's so ridiculous to get a degree and sit home and vacuum."

Many believe today's housewives should be respected despite changing views on gender. "A modern housewife is a woman [who] is able to take care of her family and home and still wants to have a job," sophomore Kris Pride said. "A lot of people think it's wrong to be a housewife, but there are some women who want to just take care of their homes; it is a big responsibility. We need to give them more credit."

With less women staying home, "househusbands," or men who insert themselves into the women's roles, have become normality. In today's American society, some believe we have developed a sense of hyper-masculinity. Anthropology major Karli Bacci said "The over-glorification of testosterone stems from the founding fathers - or the rich white gentry who oppressed everyone not like themselves. It's an on-going trend. Nothing has changed in this country."

Although it is a strange concept to some, many men have been advocating for the concept of househusband. According to AtHomeDad.com, "We believe the involvement of the father in the life of his child is beneficial to the child and, ultimately, society as a whole."

While women have traditionally been valued as the predominant childcare-giver, most people believe men are just as capable. "I think the idea of the housewife has completely changed into a male or a female [role]," psychology major Bryan Godduhn said. "Any guy can stay home and take care of the kids."

A career of housewifery might not be as highly regarded in some areas, but it is a job and someone has to do it. Whether or not it is a misogynistic choice, people have been and will continue to do it for years. As Godduhn said, "[the fact that] women want degrees is a sign that women have come far from where they were 50 years ago."