My dad who is 82 years old told me that when his mother lost her husband, she was lost, they lived in Kansas. She had 4 children, 1 boy who was 10 yrs. old and two were in their teens or older and my Dad who was heading off to World War II. She was despondent and lost she didn't know how she was going to get by her family helped her but she had an emotionally hard time. She told my Dad to have his wife have a career so that all is not lost if the husband dies monetarily and emotionally. She had been a teacher before she married. She died not to far after her husband. Surprising words considering if she would be well over 100 yrs. old today. By the way my Mom is 79 years old and raised 5 children and worked full time. She is and was a wonderful mother.
I agree with you that women should be educated and hopefully have worked for awhile before marrying, so they are ready to use their college educations to support themselves if the need arises. Both my daughters have this ability and it has served them well. Currently one is a stay-at-home with two small boys and the other works but there is always one parent at home when the children are.
"By the way my Mom is 79 years old and raised 5 children and worked full time"
When my great grandfather died my grandmother quite highschool to work and help support a family with six kids.
In her early twenties she married and had my mom - but my grandpa turned out to be a war-weary drunk (WWII).
Grandma went back to the family home and kept working full time while great-grandma raised my mom.
I think one thing you are seeing today is less support from extended family or friends.
You cannot even hire a good friend these days if the state has not "approved" their home and given them permission to watch a certain number of kids.
There are alot of women like my sister who live away from family - live in constant fear of the sitter quitting and then they have to scramble around and find ANYONE - because they have to work.
My poor sister keeps losing weight - she probably weighs 96 lbs. and lives on coffee and cigarettes.