A recent News.com article claims that a growing number of Generation Y young women are right now or planning to be 'homemakers' and not in any shape for form establishing a career.
Their career and dreams are based squarely around being a 'homemaker' – looking after the home and children for their husband who is the bread winner.
The article stated: "A recent study published in the Psychology of Women Quarterly found that while females of Generation Y are more accepting of working mothers, there is an increased desire among them to stay at home, compared to the generation before. Thirty-two per cent of millennials in the US believe men are best suited to be the breadwinners and women the homemakers. This figure is up from 27 per cent in the 1990s."
Further: "In Australia, there is a similar subset of young people with traditional attitudes towards the role of women in the household and workforce. Dr Jennifer Baxter of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reports there is a significant portion of 15-29-year-olds who agree with the statement: "It is better for everyone involved if the man earns the money and the woman takes care of the home and the children."
What is new is this swing. Young women have been strongly encouraged to get a university education, join the workforce and climb the corporate ladder — now, they would rather be at home than in an office.
So why are these Gen-Y women choosing to stay at home and nurture the future generation?
Directions
It appears that it is a reaction to being raised by Gen-X mothers, the first generation of women who were empowered to have both a family and career. Many are saying their desire to be a stay-at-home wife and mother is a result of their own childhood.
Going into after-school care on a regular basis one factor and now they want to be home to welcome their children after school into their own homes. A child's bedroom is such an important place for them.
The article cited Dr Margaret Henderson, author of Marking Feminist Times, agrees the swing back to traditional gender roles is a reaction to millennial upbringings. "They've seen their parents' marriages break up and [have grown up with] working mothers and [seen] the pressure that puts on the family," she explains. "And so they think staying at home is the easier option."
But that is where young mum's disagree. The work load of being a full time mum is horrendous, there is never a moment of peace. Cited is washing, cleaning, cooking, serving the community through various agencies and churches and the like.
Eva Cox the well known Australian women's 'everything' apologist has another view. "Changes to workplaces have not really made it easier for women to manage both over the last 20 years," she says. "And I think for a lot of younger ones, they're thinking, 'Why should I kill myself trying to do both roles?" cited Cox.
But that appears to be a cop out of what the survey indicates. It's the old and pathetic feminist tirade that have sold women short and now many of the very women who they claimed to speak for, are rejecting such portals.
Dr Jennifer Baxter of the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) reports many mothers are choosing to avoid that stress, with 57 per cent of couple mothers opting out of a job. Dr Baxter confirms: "Australia's female employment rate is lower than the OECD average through those childbearing years."
Responses
Certainly the Christian community has a balanced approach. There are many women who have within themselves a strong desire to succeed in a career and are able to manage the juggling with all that is required.
Just as applicable are those who like this survey, have an equally strong desire to be a homemaker and both are equally applauded.
The problem area are those who wish to be homemakers but for dire economic demands and who need to work. Mortgages, family expenses, children's excursions, holidays, the lot!
The question then becomes one of where each family determines what is important. 'Having everything' is no longer the be all and end all of life.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html