Can i be a feminist and a housewife?

Question

i'm pregnant with my first child and part of me wants to stay at home...but i feel strange saying that. ive worked so hard to get where i am in my career. ive been a feminist since college

Answer 1

You definitely can and there are lots of us. Being a Feminist basically means that you want women to 1) be equal to men and 2) have the freedom to choose what they do.

If you'd like to meet other Feminist housewives, check out this site: http://www.feministhousewives.com

Congrats on your pregnancy!

Answer 2

We don't. I know of no feminist who reacts the way you describe. The only time I've heard anyone describe housewives as worthless or parasites are the women who have no outside job, and don't do any of the home-maintenence work either (they aren't exactly housewives, since housewives DO work to keep the home and family functioning). Not all housewives have children. There's no reason men can't have the same role. It's a lie that all women raise or teach; it's a lie that all men provide. Since most families can't afford to live on one income, it's not true that all married women with children are housewives. Not all women WANT to be housewives; not all men want outside jobs. Instead of some idiot forcing everyone else to live their way, what SANE people think is that people and couples should make their own decisions about how to divy up the work, or in general, live their lives. Man making money; woman running household and not making money is NOT the only way to live. Edited to respond to the misogynists who answered: So here we have a page-worth of feminists saying that we don't feel that way at all, and the misogynists telling us how WE think. Misogynists not only lie constantly, but none of them can READ.

Answer 3

So far, there's no law against being a feminist and a housewife, and hopefully we can be a feminist and a career woman, or a feminist and a housewife, or a feminist, career woman, and a housewife, depending on your income, energy level, and interests.

Answer 4

Why not? I am.

I won't say it will be easy to get yourself back to your old salary and level when you return to work. You'll probably have to take a step back. But that doesn't mean that it's forever, just like it wasn't forever the first time you did it.

Whatever it is you do, do you think it's necessary for you to do it for 45 years for you to consider it a successful career? Would you consider 30 years (cumulative) also successful? What about 25? Your child's infancy and childhood come along only once and they don't last even 25 years. I think you shouldn't feel limited to just one career or type of work throughout your whole life.

If you have a partner who is supportive of the idea of yoiur child being raised by his or her mom instead of a hired caretaker, I say "Go for it". You CAN get back to what you were doing before. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't.

Answer 5

It'll be better for your child/children if you stay home more. There's really no need to choose between feminist ideals and maternal ideals. Children are the most innocent victims of some of the bad side effects of feminism.

Answer 6

Who do you think started the feminist movement? A housewife has a important job in a household! they work the equvilent of 2 full time jobs! Raising children is difficult to do! Girl, if you want to stay at home then do it. No one will think any less of you. I would recommend just doing it until your child goes to school and go back to work! Give yourself some time. My boyfriend's sister's husband wants her to stay at home and raise her children but she doesn't want to because she was bored. You may get bored. You can still work and take the baby to daycare he or she will be fine. Either way, you will be no less of a feminist! Congrats on your child!

Answer 7

A true feminist can stay at home, raise a child, care for a home, pay bills, grocery shop...be a MOM.

A true feminist holds the belief that women should have the same rights and opportunities as men.

This is the definition right out of a dictionary....it has nothing to do with bra burning, career building, or glass ceilings. It has nothing to do with what you do for a living either. The bottom line is doing what you are happy with doing and what is best for you and your family...not what other people think or believe. There will always be time to have a career...but not always time to have a child or a family.

Children are small for such a brief time, it would be a shame to work it all away if you don't have to.

Answer 8

Congratulations, you just hit on the #1 delimna that feminists face--- "is working going against my feminist beliefs"... No, you are not betraying your feminist senses by staying at home. Being a mother is one of the most rewarding, challenging and special jobs a women can have.

The whole women's movement and feminist movement was about giving women choices and the freedom to decide on their own what they want out of life.

So if you want to stay home, you go ahead and do it, you are not betraying anything.

yes, you can be a feminist and a housewife.

Answer 9

A true feminist won't have anything against someone being a housewife.. A true feminist will only be against that path in life being forced upon us.

Choose what you want to do, that's a big part of what feminism is about.

Answer 10

Honey, you can do whatever you want. That's the whole point of feminism! If you want to stay home and take care of your children, I applaud and respect you for it. Its about doing what you want with your life, not what other people want or what you think they want. You can be a feminist and show people the power of choice.
Do what makes you happy. That will make your family happier too.