Domestic Engineers
I am on a roll. I finished more than what I anticipated completing for my take home exam today, so I am rewarding myself with blog time.
I thought about an article by Heather Koerner on Boundless.org. Koerner wrote about her decision to resign from her job so she could stay at home and raise her children full time. She also included testimonials from women who chose to stay at home. Her claims are based on Bible verses from Proverbs and Titus.
I think that the decision to work while raising children or to be a home parent is completely at the discretion of the parents. I have also heard that some mothers feel as if they are better parents because they are still engaged in their careers. The one thing about Boundless.org that annoys me is the fact that it sounds like ONE BRAIN is speaking through several different intelligent adults who look “hip” enough to be in the world, but with their “radical rightness” (really, no pun intended), they encourage black and white, two dimensional levels of thinking for young adults. When one perspective is pushed without any sort of flexibility – there is a cultish aspect. I fear for young Christian adults who are impressionable and frequent this site.
If I ever marry and have children, I think I would rather work so I could provide income for the family and contribute to the professional world. Interaction in the professional world is very stimulating for me and is a part of my identity. Honestly, I never really had an acute longing for a spouse and children. My work, immediate family, and friends have been a source of community for me. I am not sure how I would be able to fit a significant other, let alone children, into the picture.
Keep in mind, I regard marriage and family and keeping the home very highly. But, I am happy with keeping my home (you should come over and try my banana bread and chicken salad) and the family (not exclusive to biological family) that God has given me.
Amir Larijani said,
March 8, 2008 at 8:10 am
In general, I agree with Boundless on this one.
As a 41-year-old phogey who has seen enough women try to have all the above–husband, kids, and full-time career–almost every time the losers are the husband and kids (God ends up getting screwed too). I can count the number of “successes” on one hand. The failures are way too numerous to recall.
The ones who are sucessful are the ones who–at the very least–ratcheted back the career to part-time when the kids started arriving.
Arguably, the more I live life, the more I am convinced that wife/mother/homemaker is the best career choice for a woman.
Name for me one career a woman can choose that adds more value to the economy than that? CEO of a public company? Vice President? Project manager? Engineer? Physician? Puhleeeze.
Koerner got this one right.
exchurchmouse said,
March 15, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Well, it depends on where you live. Sometimes it is crucial to have a double income household in order to support a family. If one parent can only find a job in a certain geographical region and that area is very expensive (like Chicago – or worse – Washington DC area) – bills have to be paid, diapers need to be bought, and food needs to be put on the table. Or worse, Jr. has a fender bender driving home from school. If I could choose between getting the degree so I could work at a school part time as opposed to working at Macy’s part time if there is a need for extra income, I would rather have the career experience and the degree to qualify me for the better, more remunerative jobs.
Maria Shriver! She is a woman of poise and intelligence. And, she has been married to Arnold for years and they had children. Perhaps her career has made her a better parent.
Everybody has different gifts.