Maggie's Farm

According to the BLS, the percentage of married women with children in the workforce is falling. Concern has been expressed in some quarters as to why this is occurring and should something be done to stop it. It seems therefore that attacking women who choose not to work outside the home and to raise their own children is a big mistake.

I often quote Madeleine Albright who, speaking to I think Georgetown law school grads who were women, told them that they could have it all, they just couldn't have it all at once. Sound advice. I had a first career following college and grad school, took off 12 years to raise children, then had a very satisfying second career until I retired several years ago.

We were never rich, we did not take lavish vacations or drive fancy cars, but we had a very satisfying life. Life is easier if someone is at home managing the kids and the household, even if there is less money to spend. Frees up the one who is working to spend time with the family and to pursue other interests. I feel sorry for the two worker families who have no time for home life and whose kids are enrolled in nonstop "activities" to keep them busy.

In addition, if one adult is not working, should the need arise, that adult is a "worker in reserve." If you don't commit two incomes to your everyday expenses, you have many more options in an emergency.

Finally, I think young women are realizing the bill of goods they've been sold by feminists. The saddest situation I witnessed in the workplace were those women who devoted a long period of time to educating themselves and establishing themselves in a career - such as lawyering, then, approaching 40, have no husband and desperately want children. They pursue inappropriate relationships in the hope of finding a companion and potential father for their children - often in vain.