dont you think that the term "housewife" is sexist??

Question

it like as if she's married to the house?? house wife.. . . think about it?

Answer 1

I think so. It brings to mind the term "house broken" like a puppy. I am a stay at home mom, which is funny because I'm rarely at home!

Answer 2

It all depends on the person and the way they process information. The new generation will better accept Care Giver then housewife. To me it is the difference between people from the old school and the new generation. Politically correct if you will. What do you call a housewife and bread winner? How about Home psychologist, chef, janitorial technician,commuting coordinator. In other words we take care of the family and home plus kill the chicken, pluck it, cook it,serve it and clean up afterwards. No offense intended this is a sticky subject for me.

Answer 3

No some people choose to say ' Homemaker ' and some men can be described as 'House Husbands'.

I don't think it's sexist. It means a wife whose job consists of up-keeping the house / home and it's a big job. A whole building and the people that inhabit it are her responsibility to keep organized and happy.

I think it must be a very rewarding job - my mother was married to her career and I can tell you - though it sounds very glamourous - it's hell.

The grass isn't always greener on the other side. And let's face it if she wants to she can always have a career outside the home these days.

Answer 4

Yes, as a "housewife" myself, I prefer Domestic Engineer. Lol... Seriously, we need to stop worrying about what words mean. I see myself as a homemaker, housewife, stay at home mom, whatever you want. But, I see myself as providing for my family. I enjoy being at home with my children and cooking. I don't particularly enjoy cleaning and doing laundry, but until we have enough money for a pool boy, house boy, and laundry boy (preferably ones with bodies like Brad Pitt) that's just part of my job description too. I think it's sexist to think that women should be at home after marriage or children. This was my choice that my husband was supportive of; if I chose to go back to work after our children were born, then he would have been supportive of that as well. I think that women deserve to make the best choice for them individually.

Answer 5

No. The term extends back to when strictly wives were the ones expected to take care of the house. It could be considered sexist if not for the addition of the word "househusband" in the dictionary as defined by Encarta Encyclopedia as "man managing household: a man who does not go to work but stays at home to manage a household."

Answer 6

I would be happy to be a stay at home hubby.. cleanin house helping the kids with homework, doin laundry, running errands and cooking. I am very happy working though too, its all about making the best of what paths your life takes. I don't think housewife is sexist at all..

Everything anymore is about 'titles'

I know a guy that is a 'petroleum transfer engineer' you think WOW... well he pumps gas at a full service station

Answer 7

Certainly not. I wouldn't mind being a "housewife" if it worked out financially. I also believe very strongly in "stay-at-home" mothers; what a proud way to raise the children, being present for them. That way, no one else is raising them through day care. For those who chose to work, that is fine. For those who have to work, do it. My mum was a "housewife" much of my growing up, & it was wonderful to go home & have her there for me. That is my most treasured memory of her. The term for "housewife" is domestic engineer.

Answer 8

So then is househusband sexist? Probably not cause it's a newer thing. I prefer the term Domestic Engineer. Personally, it sounds like a lot more fun than housewive!!

Answer 9

No because house wife means that the woman stays home and takes care of the house so no

Answer 10

As a housewife, no, I don't think it's sexist. It only takes a bit of studying of compound words to see that the link you make is not implied.

mailbox--two totally unrelated words put together as one word to indicate that mail goes in the box

businesswoman--two totally unrelated terms put together to indicate that this woman is involved in business. She doesn't belong to the business.

housekeeper--two unrelated terms to indicate a person who 'keeps' (or takes care of) the house. This one is particularly pertinent to your suggestion--the term does not imply somebody who keeps the house as in it's theirs and they don't give it away.

housewife--two unrelated terms to indicate that it's a woman who takes care of the family's house

I could go on. Essentially, the study of words leads to a better understanding rather than viewing everything from a sexist point of view. If we *want* to find sexism in words, it'll be easy to come up with anything. Just think of "Legally Blonde" and the one character's argument that 'semester' was sexist because of 'sem''s relationship to 'semen'.