In the book "Homeward Bound, Why Women are Embracing the New Domesticity" by Emily Matchar, we are able to look into the lives of people from all across our country. Stay at home moms trying to find more passion in their daily lives, families who homeschool, same sex couples who long for a better way to live, single women and men who live "off the grid" and a lot of people who are raising chickens in the city.
Why are women leaving the workforce to be at home?
Home is the very place that women fought so hard to leave so they could have careers, earn an income, and feel the satisfaction that comes along with it.
A common theme is throughout this book...
It's all about choice. Women's Liberation gave females the choice to work outside the home or inside the home. We should thank our mothers, grandmothers and great grandmothers for that.
For giving us the opportunity to choose.
Why are all these people choosing to do things the hard way instead of letting others do the work for them?
There are lots of reasons and I doubt that Emily Matchar was even able to list them all in her book.
Here are the one's that really stuck out to me. (More like they screamed at me.)
-More people are baking, cooking, gardening, canning, etc. because they want to know what their family is eating. They no longer trust that the people higher up have their best interest in mind.
-More people are leaving their jobs to stay at home with their children. They are not finding corporate America fulfilling and no longer have job security. When faced with the choice between giving a meaningless job your day's energy or giving your energy to your children, spouse and home, they are choosing the latter.
-Blogging is empowering and motivating women. If she/he can do it, I can try to do it, too! Plus, blogging has the potential to bring in an income. I don't want to jump the gun or jinx myself, but what could be better than sharing your life on a blog and getting paid to do it?
-Knitting isn't just for old people anymore. The DIY era is here and we are longing to make things that fill us with a sense of accomplishment. It can be less expensive to do it yourself, you can add a personal flair to it, you can reuse materials and you don't have to depend on a store to give you what you want or need.
-Homeschooling has grown in popularity. With concerns over their children's safety and education, more and more families are realizing that they can do it themselves.
Sounds all happy, wonderful, rainbows and unicorns. Right?
Well, there is always a flip side.
-With so many people not depending on the government, grocery stores, retail stores, and schools, it will limit improvement. The same strong people who would have been an influence in government or the local school's PTA, are no longer there to be the voice for change. This leaves people who are weaker vulnerable.
-If you quit your job to stay home with your children and something happens to your spouse, how will you support your family?
-Dreams of a successful Etsy shop or making a six figure income off your blog are just that dreams. Statistically, the chances of either of those things happening are very slim. Very slim.
Who would want to knit for 8 hours a day just to keep up with customer needs anyway?
The beginning of each chapter made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then, the second half made me sweat and have a panic attack.
About halfway through the book I remembered something.
I need to do what God thinks is best for me and for my family. I will find His truth in the bible and it will help guide our choices.
No more panic attacks.
Just a wider and deeper perspective than I had before.
http://emilymatchar.com/?page_id=429
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