Homemaker
From Free net encyclopedia
A homemaker is a person whose prime occupation is to care for their family and/or home. Finding a term to describe the modern man or woman who has left the paid workforce to care for their family is problematic. The term homemaker is used in preference to either housewife or househusband (a tautology because "house" is derived from one of the Germanic elements of "husband") because it is inclusive, defines the role in terms of activities, rather than relation to another, and is independent of marital status. The terms (informal) stay at home mom, stay at home dad, or stay at home father are also used, particularly if the person views their central role as caring for children. All these terms fail to convey the diversity of activities any individual might choose to pursue, such as volunteer work, outdoor activities, education, spirituality, etc.
Traditionally this role has been filled predominantly by women. It is still the case today that in some societies many men and women alike view that a homemaker is the natural and most fulfilling role for women. While there has been a political backlash against "feminist" attacks on traditional roles for women, there are plenty of women who have chosen to leave the workplace who fully respect other women's choice and right to pursue a career. Homemaking is not a lifetime commitment: most stay at home moms do, for economic or personal reasons return to the workplace.
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Feminist critique
Many feminists, beginning with Betty Friedan, have criticised the marginalisation of women as homemakers. Feminists generally suggest that homemaking should be an appropriate role for a parent of either sex. Also, they maintain that women can become socially isolated by being tied to their home. While some who call themselves "feminists" denigrate stay at home moms, many feminists argue that feminism respects all choices people make. They would argue that the goal of feminism was not to close off any options for women, but to create opportunities for women to pursue careers in traditionally male occupations.
Some feminists also point out that the monetary contribution of homemakers work to society is ignored in standard formulations of economic output, such as GDP or employment figures. In the US, homemakers work many hours a week without it being recorded, while depending on their partner's employment to provide health insurance and money.
Multicultural norms
In imperial China (excluding periods of the Tang dynasty when women had high status in society), women were bound in the home abiding by the doctrines of Confucianism. When the husband was alive and able to work, the wife was usually forbidden to take a job outside the house. As Confucianism spread all over East Asia, this social norm was also observed in Korea and Japan. After the foundation of the Republic of China, society gradually opened up and many women went out to make a living. During the rule of the People's Republic of China, all women were freed from traditional family roles. During the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, women were encouraged to do work for which they were not physically suitable. This policy was later abolished. Still, in modern China, it is not common for women (particularly those in urban area) to be housewives. Even in rich families, most women believe that a housewife is stripped of her income sources and is dependent on her husband. Meanwhile men encourage their wives to bond socially with the outside community. Finally, one person's income is often not enough to support the family. Child care is not an issue because China is a Confucian country where children must love and respect their parents whether or not the mother stays home with them. It is also very common for grandparents to take care of their grandchildren before they are old enough to go to school. Nonetheless, the number of Chinese housewives has been steadfastly growing due to the highly competitive society, but househusbands are almost unanimously frowned upon.
Economics
Homemakers are usually financially dependent on members of the household who are employed; however, people working full-time (particularly under "at-will employment" arrangements) are also dependent on the unpaid work provided by the homemaker, all of which would cost money in his/her absence (child care, any other household work that is done).
Formal education
While largely eliminated from American public schools, there used to be a large range of courses intended for young women to learn the skills of running the home as an economic unit. In high school, they may for instance have offered courses in cooking, nutrition, home economics, family and consumer science or food and cooking hygiene. Many modern women would be more likely to explore resources on the topic of child development and managing children's behavior.
Male role in homemaking
Househusbands or Stay at home dads are seen in increasing numbers in Western culture, since the late 20th century. In East Asian nations like Japan and South Korea this is less common, and the traditional view of married women as housewives is still dominant.
There are several reasons why there has been an increase in Househusbands over the past few years.
- Women are progressing into higher paying jobs. There are now financial ramifications on which parent is to become the Stay-at-home parent. In many cases, the woman is now the higher paid parent, so it makes more sense for her to continue to work while the male stays home.
- The idea of "woman's work" is slowly fading in the United States. More men are playing an active role in housework and child-rearing, so it has made things easier for a man to play a nurturing role.
- Men, like women, choose this role because they enjoy being an active part of their children's lives and don't want to be away from the family as much as their fathers may have been. Families vary widely in terms of how household chores are divided. Depending on the region of the United States in which a stay at home dad lives, he might find more or less social support for his decision. In some regions where traditional roles prevail, a stay-at-home dad might be shunned by the stay-at-home mom peer group.
In order to find support for their choice, men have created and joined many support networks.
In some cases, the role of the househusband has evolved to something different from that of the housewife. In the case of some househusbands, once the wife comes home from work, she often assumes a nurturing and caregiving role with the children. Having a spouse that is actively parenting in addition to the homemaker makes that role easier for some.
However, despite the gains of the acceptance of the househusband, there are still many men who are trying to find acceptance in this role.
One 2002 study suggested stay-at-home dads may face a higher risk of heart disease. [1]
Modern Mothers
Some modern women are embracing the full time role of parent. Most of these women have left the paid workforce so that they can raise their children, particularly through their early years before entering kindergarten. There is considerable variability within the "stay-at-home" mom population with regards to their intent to return to the paid workforce. Some work from their home, some do part-time work, some intend to return to part or full time work when their children are in school, and others may never return to the paid workplace. Similarly, there is considerable variation in the "stay-at-home" mom's attitude towards domestic work not related to caring for children.
Some may embrace a traditional role of "housewife," where the woman cooks and cleans in addition to caring for children. But many modern homemakers see their primary role as that of child care providers -- supporting their children's physical, intellectual, and emotional development. These homemakers can be found in cooperative preschools and volunteering in numerous community organizations. Other aspects of home care (shopping, cooking, cleaning, yard work, home repairs, money managing) is shared equally with their husbands or partners.