Do you think you can be a feminist and a stay at home parent ?

[user1492337624]

Wondering what your views are on this ?

Why are some pp equating feminism with man hating?
Feminism asks for equality, not female dominance.

If this really were a free choice, then there would be no barriers to reversing it i.e. When you choose to go back to work, you can. Unfortunately we all know how hard it is, and that in itself is a pretty big clue as to how constrained we are when we decide what to do with our lives.

Again I'm at pains to stress this is not an individuals question - of course you can be a feminist and a sahm just like you can be a working woman and not a feminist. However, as feminists, we do have to examine the framework and context in which we operate. And however life affirming the choice to sah is, we cannot move away from the fact that it is so very often the direct result of the patriarchy as many of your posts have highlighted (earning less than your dp; being fed up with doing all the domestic work plus paid work; lack of childcare etc - these are all expressions of the limitations that a patriarchal society puts on women's choices).

Of course you can be a SAHM and a feminist. You can have a traditionally female caring job and be a feminist. You can be a sex worker and be a feminist. Feminism is not an exclusive club, to be a feminist is all that is required is to be a feminist.

As feminists we need to recognise the societal structures that have influenced what we have perceived as our 'choices'. Why are so many more women than men financially dependent on their partners earnings? Why are so many more women than men in low paid, low status jobs? Why are so many more women than men in jobs that centre round cleaning and childcare rather than construction or technical skills? Is it just their choice? Really?