My mother was a stay-at-home mom. She left college to get married but finished her degree afterwards. While we we children she didn't work, but she went back to work when I was a teenager. Her initial jobs were low-paying clerical jobs--she started back temping. However, right now she has a very promising job where her employers find her invaluable (and are expressing their appreciation monetarily!) She is now 56 and my father is 58, and who knows when either will retire.
I can understand staying home when a person has children, but when it's just the house to take care of I think it would get boring. I certainly would find other work more appealing than cleaning house all day.
If Xena's Guy would let me, I would SO stay home and clean the house and cook.
If I weren't contributing to the household financially, you'd better believe I'd clean like no one's business and have a hot meal on the table every night.