Quote Originally Posted by Alex Bragi View Post
Maybe it's a kind of inherent attitude that males are physically stronger, and therefore seen as better investments for their families? Or, maybe it's because egotistical males feel that unless there's a male offspring to carry on his name, his genes will be some how lost for ever?

So, in our new technology driven world, where brains are more important than brawn and more women are opting to be single mothers, is this attitude changing?
I wanted a boy because I didn't want to one day be in the same house with a PMSing teenaged girl. *ggls* My now ex-husband wanted a boy to "carry on his name." *rme*

In years gone by women were almost always financially dependent on men. He was "the man of the house"; going out each day to work as the family's sole breadwinner. Women were merely the baby makers and housekeepers whose non- domestic talents were almost always stifled by society's narrow patriarchal attitudes and traditions.
I wish I could be financially dependent on my man. I wish I had a "man of the house." I'm so sick of pussy-whipped men who can't or won't make a decision or stand up to their woman. I'm sick of men who don't think it's their responsibility to provide well for their family but would rather depend on the woman to be the breadwinner, leaving her no choice but to continue working if she decides to have a baby. I think housewives are looked down on by other women because of jealousy and/or narrow attitudes that taking care of your husband and child isn't as important or fulfilling as being a teacher, an accountant, etc.

How could a woman possibly achieve academically or have a success career with a tribe of kids, a mountain of laundry and other household chores, while still keeping up her 'wifely duties' to her husband?
They tell women now that they can do it all, have it all and be it all. If that's what you want, go for it. I was working when my son rolled over for the first time, crawled for the first time, etc. I was heartbroken and bitter that I had to miss that. I had wanted to stay home. I think when you choose or are forced by econmic circumstances to continue working when you have a child you are making a huge sacrifice. Those women who seem to have a career, kids and a spotless house....I swear they're on crystal meth because there just aren't enough hours in the day. Something's got to give. I would bet that most of the time it's the "wifely duties" that suffer because she's just too freakin' tired and the kids because she doesn't get to spend much time with them!

Of course, from a business point of view, it's really just good sense to employ women, particularly in 'white collar' positions, since studies suggest that females, generally, aren't only just as capable of the same tasks but are better at team building and communicating.

Yes, Sir (Ma'am?), right now women are surely, economically speaking, the modern world's most under utilised resource, but is that all about to change forever, as we move further into the twenty first century and beyond?

In 1950 only one-third of western women of working age had a paid job. Today two-thirds have paid jobs, making up almost half of the western workforce.
Every boss I've had since graduating from college has been a female.

We've come a long way from they days when man was required to clubbed and dragged the evening meal back to the cave and fend off anything threatening with a shout and a big stick. However, while man is not longer traditionally the 'provider and protector', will many women still continue to instinctively look for those qualities in a mate?
You bet your ass they do! Even strong, independent women want to be pursued and captured. I love Dragon's muse's signature. "To be completely woman you need a master and in him a compass for your life. You need a man you can look up to and respect. If you dethrone him, it is no wonder that you are discontented, and discontented women are not loved for long." Marlene Dietrich

Of course, this is just my personal opinion and not fact. My feminism only extends to women being treated fairly if they want to participate outside of the home, which isn't to say that I always think they should, but they should at least have a choice.