Eve, Ben over at Blog Experiment has links for Wild Bill, Jason, me and you so I thought I would check out your blog. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a housewife and anyone that says there is is just jealous because they wish they could be at home more. I love being my own boss. I like your picture of the lady with the frying pan. I am new to blogging, only since June 1. I am enjoying all of the new friends that I am meeting online. Your site has a nice feel to it. Hope you are having a glorious day.

thanks Patricia! I love being a housewife! Sometimes I feel like the lady with the frying pan!! See you again soon!!

Eve / July 31st, 2007, 8:38 am / #

I don’t consider myself a housewife, though I don’t consider it an offensive label in and of itself by any means. I’m very glad that you’ve found a title that works for you and that you enjoy being a housewife. I’ve known a lot of proud housewives and I really respect the work they do. I also think it is interesting to see how the duties of “housewives” are changing with the times.

However, I can see how many stay-at-home wives can find it offensive when people call them a “housewife” just for not working outside of the home (and no, I don’t think you are among those saying that). Just for starters, I don’t think people would call my husband a househusband just for working from home - though I think that it is awesome when guys are actual househusbands since I see it as a sign that society really is changing (interesting how women can work, but househusbands are still controversial, isn’t it?!). For me, my work at home is a much bigger priority than my work on the home (which I share a lot with my husband). I don’t like it when people automatically label me a housewife just because I work from home, because I feel that if I were supposed to be a housewife then I’d be failing miserably (I don’t cook and I don’t clean much) and because I think it minimizes the work I do from home that isn’t housework or other traditional housewife duties.

You’re right, though, it is easier to tell people you’re a housewife than a blogger (especially in our area!). It’s also easier than explaining that you’re a web site developer (or whatever title I’m using at the time to try to some up my duties in that regard). And for some reason, it’s more respectable to make no money as a housewife than to make very little money as a blogger and web site developer, even though in the latter respect I’ve been doing work pro bono as part of a project with my husband (right now his name is on the check we get, though I heard rumors that I might be getting a check soon).

So, yeah housewives and work-at-home wives and all the other wives out there - and yeah, to being able to choose our own titles!

thanks Meg! you made some great points there!!

Eve / August 1st, 2007, 10:12 am / #

Eve, I’m not offended with being called a “housewife” either. To me, it stands for a wife who’s the manager of her household which is a great occupation. There are so many aspects and roles which being a housewife entails. We not only manage the care of the house or enlist others to help, but maybe we’re also a counselor for the kids, sometimes nurse, an event planner, educator, birthday party coordinator, or have a part-time job we do from home, and the list could go on and on.
I like Meg’s comment above where she says “yeah housewives and work-at-home wives and all the other wives out there.”

Thanks Charla, and managing the house for sure, most of the women I know that are ‘housewives’ manage every aspect, bills, shopping, etc. It is an important job that we do- I love the saying ‘Behind every good man is a great woman’ So true!

Eve / August 13th, 2007, 5:34 pm / #

That’s why I do have so much respect for housewives. There are so many hats to wear and its incredible that anyone can do it considering how many talents you have to have.

To be honest, I don’t hear the word “housewife” used a lot in general speech (except in reference to me it appears). I know there is a lot of pressure for women to work the U.S., even sometimes when they do have children, but especially if they don’t. I would think that it would be more acceptable to be a “stay at home mom” than a “housewife”, stay at home mom being the more popular phrase as far as I hear.

There are still women like me, though, that stay at home without kids (whether working from the home or as a housewife). So, I’m curious, do any of you prefer “housewife” or “stay at home mom” more than the other term? For those that are just housewives without kids, do you get a lot of pressure from others do have what some people (not me) would call a “real job”?

Great points, I personally don’t introduce myself or even reference my self as a ‘housewife’ except on this blog, I usually just say something like ‘I work from home’, it is not that I am ashamed of being one, it is just like you said, it isn’t a term really used any more except online.

I have had several people mention things like ‘why don’t you get a real job’ in their own way, I almost always respond with how much money I make, usually (confession here LOL) telling them a bit over what I really make to really drive it home that I am working, just from home… I hope I am not the only person that does that… LOL

Eve / August 13th, 2007, 7:58 pm / #

I refer to myself as a “stay at home mom” and love being one. I used to teach first and second grades, so now I use those skills to do private tutoring out of my home. I now have time to do volunteer work one or two mornings a week at the Benevolent Center (which helps families in need with free food, clothing and some counseling). I feel blessed to have the time to do things which really mean a lot to me and to have more quality time with my family.

That is wonderful Charla, charity work is great for the soul.

Eve / August 14th, 2007, 2:35 pm / #