A recent study from the Department of Labor shows that the “classic” role of housewives has strongly shifted in the last few years compared to what some might call traditional.
Traditional housewives have long been seen as the heart of the home, managing household duties and caring for their families. It was seen as a woman’s main role, to cook, clean, look after the kids, and overall take care of the house while their husband goes to work.
But recent studies show that although it may be considered traditional, that’s not the way we are currently moving as a society.
According to a 2024 study from the Department of Labor, approximately 72% to 74% of mothers in the U.S. are in the labor force, meaning they are either working or actively looking for work.
The COVID-19 pandemic shut down seems to be the root of this cultural shift. After an employment decline during the pandemic, the employment rate for mothers has recently surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Remote work has created a new wave of working mothers, offering parents more opportunities to earn a living while caring for their children.
However, many people would say this is returning to the past, going backwards in history, and causing backlash, that this “idea” that women should stay home and be traditional housewives is coming back into mainstream.
It’s important to recognize that different family dynamics work for different people and different homes.
There are many dynamics where the wife can do it all from working the 9-5, to coming home to being with the kids, cooking dinner and supporting in more than one avenue for the children.
Bucks Student Lia Peralta said that “ Yes! I believe that women should be independent and should not depend on a man for money.”
Former Bucks student Sarah Walker said that “If a woman wants to be a traditional housewife she can but, only by choice a man shouldn’t expect it of her it should be voluntary.”
These two students represent some of the women that are for women doing what they please and allowing for them to do what they see fit weather that is staying home and being the “traditional” housewife or go to work.
Overall, the choice for women to be traditional housewives or not should ultimately be a personal decision between you and your spouse, respecting their individual preferences and certain circumstances.
Recognizing both perspectives allows for society to support women in making the best choices for themselves without judgment or pressure. When given the choice, which role would you prefer?