Just a word of encouragement -- I never liked kids, was never the girl volunteering in the church nursery, and I don't even think I had ever changed a diaper before I had kids. Now, I have four kids, 7 and younger, and I would take a bullet, get hit by a bus, or whatever it takes to take care of them. HOWEVER, just like getting married, having kids was a decision (in the pro-life context, mind you), conscious, deliberate, and we should remember that many things in life worthing doing aren't necessarily easy.
What I am trying to say, is, women in America have so much freedom to make so many choices. So, make the right decision about chosing your husband, and that will give you a lot of support when you contemplate children -- if you have a husband who is a servant-leader of your family, you can forge ahead with confidence. It's a big help.
Also, remember that women in the workforce are also taking on many of the vices that men have picked up from the pressures - smoking, drinking, etc. There are trade-offs.
As a matter of fact, I believe that the effort I put into my children, even on tornado days, will be more worth it than a Bar membership, court case won, issue lobbied, brief written. I'm not picking on those who chose to do those things instead of have kids, I'm just explaining my rationale. Much is required of those to whom much is given, and my kids will indeed have much required of them, based on how much I've chosen to give them. At least I don't have to walk two miles to a well, or drop a baby while planting in the field....there are a lot of things to keep in perspective.
Finally, one more thought on men and their wives. I know a lot of American women who are afraid of suffering the divorce their parents did, and who think they ought to find a "beta-male" who they can push around, as opposed to a meat-eating, alpha, yet are attracted to the latter, yet, they quickly stereotype the alpha (caveman, etc). Look, there are alpha males out there (for lack of a better term), who are honorable, strong leaders, and who also deserve a wife who will be good to them (think, George Bush, Pat Tillman, Mel Gibson, and, sorry gals, my husband is taken), not a bratty, sex-in-the-city, immature self-worshipper. It takes two. I am happy to work myself to the bone for my family, set aside my law degree, and invest where I chose -- at home. And I ain't apologizing to Patricia Ireland or Gloria Steinem (sp?).
Thanks for your insightful reply. As I said, I'm not opposed to the idea of having children, although I don't think I want to have any the first few years of my marriage. It just seems that unless you're a mom (and even sometimes if you are), people expect you to work outside the home.
I am definitely seeking a religious, conservative alpha male and I have never been attracted to anything else. My mother was a housewife and our family survived just fine on one income.
I enjoyed working when I did it (at the moment I am ill). I liked my career for more than just the paycheck. But I think managing a home and taking care of my husband (and perhaps children) would be much more rewarding for me personally. I'd also like to do volunteer work, like teaching the Bible.
Of course, the man that I marry will be fully aware of this. We won't get married and then I just spring my decision on him.