We've always had a number of old maids; most of them were content to teach school and collect cats.
Being a wife and a mother is a job... just not one that I have had any desire to do. And from what I have seen, putting up with some men out there DOES deserve "combat pay" or "hazard pay."
While I had a teaching scholarship out of high school, as it's turned out, I'm glad I didn't go that route, as most public schools nowadays seem to be h*llholes and physically dangerous."
And as for collecting cats, well, in many cases they're nicer than humans, easier to put up with, and they more often return good treatment with affection (instead of sh*tting on those who help them), and I sincerely look forward to becoming an old lady so that I can collect more.