Has feminism killed family?

Question

Feminism is largely responsible for women in today's workplace, which is good. However, now a two salary household is a have-to-have, not a nice-to-have, and kids spend more time without a parent than ever before. And it shows. So is feminism, on some level, responsible for the breakdown of family life?

a) Yes, I am the one that eats (not ate) the dirty toenails.
b) I am all for women working, and for feminism in fact, I'm simply asking a valid question
c) I think there is "the family", where say a child in daycare for 9 hours, 5 days a week would be its antithesis. That is not to say the father can't be the primary caregiver.

a) Yes, I am the one that eats (not ate) the dirty toenails.
b) I am all for women working, and for feminism in fact, I'm simply asking a valid question
c) I think there is "the family", where say a child in daycare for 9 hours, 5 days a week would be its antithesis. That is not to say the father can't be the primary caregiver.

Answer 1

On an individual level, women's lib has done more to change the picture of family life than any other movement in the 12,000 years of homo sapiens' existence.

Modern technology no longer meant that generally physically "weaker" women were of no value in the labor market. The rise of the "romanticism" movement is also responsible for changing the face of marriage from a property arrangement to one where people "marry for love." It wasn't long ago that women considered themselves extremely lucky if they actually were attracted to their spouse.

So now you have the system where women have free will and are a viable source of labor in almost every job field. This isn't going to go away, get used to it, adapt and overcome.

Answer 2

Two income families are a have-to-have because of the cost of living. Feminism did not cause this. If nothing else, it helped women earn more to help the family. Funny how nobody seems to mind if daddy is not home but if mommy works it is seen as the destruction of the family. So the choice becomes support the family or live in poverty to satisfy those who view a woman's ideal role as chief cook and bottle washer. Raising children to be responsible and caring does not depend on Mom staying home. Responsible parents can and WILL make the effort to teach and reinforce the values that help their children achieve. It may not be "Ozzie and Harriet" but it's family none the less.

Answer 3

I don't think so, we were middle class when I was a kid, and my mom always had to work to afford piano lessons for the kids, tennis lessons for my sis, extra things for the household, etc. Most of the neighbors moms worked outside the house too. I think the women's movement made our society except the fact that women are just as smart as the men, so the high paying white collar jobs shouldn't JUST belong to men. Now look at the powerful women in our society!! It worked out great I think, my sisters are both very powerful in business, and my daughter is one of the most successful car sales person in the state of WA, for her age group. Hillary Clinton actually has a shot at the presidency. I'm not a Hillary fan, but let's face it, she has a shot. So to answer your question, I say no, it has improved the family, men are closer and more involved with their kids than ever before in our country, and I think that's a good thing. I raised my daughter alone, because the female judge felt my 2 year old daughter would be more stable with me. That was 21 years ago. Thanks for your question, I've got a few things off my chest by answering. Ron Couch

Answer 4

~Actually, World War Two is responsible for women in the workplace. The women's movement was (is) about equality in the workplace (and in society at large), not access to it.
As for the breakdown of the family, when did the working father lose his influence? Maybe the breakdown is occassioned by the fact that we are now in the second generation of the "me first" society. The kids of the 80's who thought that the world revolved around them are now having children and they can't cope with kids who acted just like they did. To deal with it, they park the kids in front of the tv or the play station or the computer and expect them to raise themselves.
The 60's started a trend for free expression, relevant thought and independence. Later generations misconstrued and misapplied what was being said in the 60's and the "me" generations are the result.
Feminism has nothing to do with the problems you address. The root of those problems is from a lazy and generally ignorant class of people seeking instant gratification, consequences be damned, and then expecting everyone under the sun but themselves to fix the problems they create, while they sit back blaming abstract concepts they don't understand for their woes.

Answer 5

No. If you want to blame feminism, which is the bottom rung on the ladder, you have to blame everything that preceded it.

Needing 2 jobs to support a family is not a woman's fault, the necessity today to have a college degree isn't, mobile families with limited family support isn't.

They may want equal footing with a man, which they don't yet have, but why shouldn't they. Who said only women can care for kids?

Answer 6

Feminsim has saved the family and not damaged it. Now, most sons do not grow up in a house where his mother does everything his father says and may even tolerate verbal and physical abuse because she is a woman. It has also taught the daughters that they are more than a baby factory that only has a life of taking care of children and doing whatever her husband says. It has also brought men off of they're high horse of that they're better than women.

Answer 7

I like your question, because you give a reason for both sides to have valid reasons.

I am still a teenager and live in a on parent house hold. My mother works a very good job and provides me with more than enough of what I need in life.

She also provides good parenting and is there for me. It takes a lot more work with both parents working, with scheduling to try to get things to work like piano recitals and parents working overtime, but there is a realization to it not to don't take your family for granted.

I think it depends on the family and people in it, because having both parents work or one work and another stay home wouldn't necessarily mean kids spend more or less time with parents

Answer 8

Yes there is more divorce, children out of control, and just plain bitchy women out there. I know I am a mother of two work 40 hrs. a week and been married for 16 years. I work 80 hrs a week at home, between sports and other activities I have the Leave it to Beaver household, except I work my *** off outside of home too. Plus I have to keep my physical apperance to a certain standard, I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead. May all the bitches who burned there bras rest in hell.

Answer 9

Well, if you're all that concerned about a stay-at-home parent being at home at all times you could always stay at home and let your wife make the money.

Seriously, no. Our population has not declined, crime has not risen and moral values have not been greatly effected by the two income world we live in.

It was a problem at first, as all major shifts the social structures are, but the children have accepted it as the norm and the social stigma has been removed.

Answer 10

nope!

Every woman makes her own choices throughout her lifetime.

Some choose to not marry.
Some choose to not get pregnant.
Some choose to earn independence from someone else's income.
Some manage career and home very well.
etc.

Oh! and another thing! Family is as family does. There is no "one-size-fits-all" / "cookie cutter" family. There is no "THE family."