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Original poster

Can you be a feminist housewife?

661 replies

wigglybeezer · 30/08/2011 14:00

Can you be a feminist if you don't have a career but your DH does, especially if this situation has been going on for a long time (13 years in my case)?

I don't feel downtrodden by the way, merely a bit bored and lacking in choice ATM. I earn a small amount of money, so don't have to ask DH for everything but I'm wondering if my Granny (who was a hospital consultant) was a better feminist than me. I just found a photo of her and her pals at medical school where she has noted on the back that there were 18 female medical students out of 180!

OP posts:
DrCoconut · 31/08/2011 21:26

It often seems that going to work is seen as the feminist thing to do. I'm having to go back to work next month when DS2 is only 5 1/2 months old. I don't want to but have no choice if we are to keep the house and everyone fed and clothed. DH's industry is in decline generally and pay is frozen so there is no chance of me being a SAHM even though we are all happier when I'm not working (mat leave has been great). What's "feminist" and "freedom to choose" about that?

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:25

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LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:24

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scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:23

no,carer allowance has an eligibility criteria,andf the carer provided must be approved by LA and be assessed by sw as providing regular and substantial amount care and the care given is monitored and expectation of participation in meeting,review and care planning. the carer is assessed. its a poor comparison

housewife are not currently assessed to be in receipt of benefits.cb was universal,now means tested

Justfeckinggoogleit · 31/08/2011 21:20

From which the conversation has moved on, SM, no?
I certainly wouldn't ever want to see the state pay women to raise their own children.

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:17

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scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:16

do read back,gen up on the discussion about paying sahm a salary

Justfeckinggoogleit · 31/08/2011 21:14

SM do you actually read anyone else's posts?
No one wants to be paid. Everyone is giving you examples of how women who SAH are not simply maintaining their own families but actively benefitting their schools, communities, and society in general.

And some women and some men do NOT want 50:50 child care or working hours. Some of us are just fine and dandy exactly as we are, thank you very much!

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:14

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startAfire · 31/08/2011 21:12

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scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:12

dont sweat it lenin im not doing that links,proof,old threads unreasonable demands for concrete proof

scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:10

nah,ive had enough conkers id rather stay vaguely on topic.thanks

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:10

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LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:09

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scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:09

i also think state shouldn't be talking about co-habitee rights either.they need to butt out of private individual relationships.of you want legal and property protection in a relationship get a cp or get married

HereBeBolloX · 31/08/2011 21:08

LOL Lenin, with your name too. What are you thinking of, appearing on here with no manifesto?

scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:07

many of you describe v specific examples of how you maintain your own families.im not disputing that.or how sahm allows man to work without childcare commitments.these are all v individual acts.and not something the state should remunerate anyone for.its a private agreement

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:05

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HereBeBolloX · 31/08/2011 21:04

Um, it's not about whether you want to be paid or not. No one's going to offer, so you don't need to panic, you're not going to have wads of cash thrown at you, knocking you over whenever you step outside your door. Grin

I'm pointing out that it is incorrect to describe someone who enables someone else to earn money, as economically inactive.

scottishmummy · 31/08/2011 21:04

sm, this may come as a big surprise but I'm not that interested in how it works now and accepting that it's all right and proper, I'm interested in how it could and should be. I've given plenty of examples throughout this thread.

that seems pretty non commital

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:04

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Justfeckinggoogleit · 31/08/2011 21:03

My housewifery enables my DH to work silly hours in an extremely well paid job so he can pay shitloads of tax.

It also means my elderly parents don't need state care. And it means my kids school gets free reading help.

And that's just one economically inactive fluff and folder.

HereBeBolloX · 31/08/2011 21:02

If you are making it possible for someone else to be "economically active" (a ridiculous term invented by men who didn't recognise the value of the unpaid work women do), then how can you be defined as economically inactive? You're crucial within that domestic unit and what you are doing is worth the money that you're enabling the other person to earn. You are economically active, as well as culturally, socially, morally etc.

LeninGrad · 31/08/2011 21:02

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Riveninabingle · 31/08/2011 21:02

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