Our country is making a large shift towards a non-traditional family style. We no longer see the wife, staying at home and raising the children, or the husband being the sole provider or breadwinner. The head of the home has changed, the amount of children being born has changed, the way men and women are interacting has changed.
According to a PEW Research survey, “fewer than half (46%) of US. kids younger than 18 years of age are living in a home with two married heterosexual parents in their first marriage. In 1960, 73% of the children fit this description.” That is a change of 27%.
Now, more women are in the workforce and bringing in a dual income for the family. There are less women staying at home, with the sole purpose to raise her children and take care of the home. I have felt the negative assumptions when I say, “I want to be a stay-at-home mom and take care of my husband as he works to provide for the family. I will let him lead our family and I will submit to him.”
I’ve seen the eye rolls. I know what they think.
“She just doesn’t want to work.”
“She’s going to let them walk all over her.”
“Your husband should listen to you.”
What I would like to say is, I do want to work. I don’t want to be seen as a weak or pathetic woman. I do want my husband to listen. I want to work at raising my children up to be respectful, loving and productive members of society. I want to be there to hold my husband up when he’s weak. I want to be strong enough that if something happens, I can help hold my family together. I want to voice my opinion to my husband, knowing that he will listen to what I have to say.
I want to bring back traditional family roles.
And let me just say this, I know many people, especially many women, will not agree. I don’t want to lessen the role a women now plays in the work force. I don’t disagree with what you’re doing. I just want to bring back what has worked before.
I want the man to step up and lead his home.
I want the woman to teach her children.
I want to see husbands and wives work together. I want to see the divorce rate drastically lower, and this is my solution.
Allow a man to stand up and lead the family. Decide when to speak up with your opinion, and to be silent in your support. Let the man make decisions for your family.
I want to see women standing behind their husband, supporting him through all that he does. I want to see our children grow up to be productive and respectful.
I know a few of you may have tuned out, so just hear me out. Right now, the goal is to "#beat50percent." What if the solution is the traditional family roles? What if it is to let the man lead, whether that means women are remaining in the home or if she works? I believe the solution is following in submission and understanding. Women and men are different for many reasons. Why not use this fact to our advantage? Why not allow men to lead, and women to be his support system?
Why are we running away from the traditional family?