Homemaker

A homemaker is a person whose prime occupation is to care for their family and home. The term homemaker is used in preference to either housewife or househusband because it is inclusive, defines the role in terms of activities, rather than relation to another, and is independent of marital status. The terms stay-at-home mother and stay-at-home father are also used.

Cultural Norms

Despite many Westerners' criticism of women staying in the home, many cultures still view that it is vital that women stay at home. Many people argue that children are best raised by a mother in the home, and that many families fail when women seek to work outside the home. Many argue that couples who have jobs will seldom see each other and it is the women's role to make sure the house is clean.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

China is an interesting exception. In imperial China (excluding periods of the Tang dynasty when women had high status in society), women were bound in the home abiding by the doctrines of Confucianism. When the husband was alive and able to work, the wife was usually forbidden to take a job outside the house. As Confucianism spread all over East Asia, this social norm was also kept in Korea and Japan. After the foundation of the Republic of China, society was gradually opened up and saw many women go out to make a living. During the rule of the People's Republic of China, things were pushed even further to free all women from traditional family roles. However it was a bit over-corrected during early years like the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, when women were encouraged to do the work they were not physically suitable for. This policy was abolished afterwards. Still, in modern China, it is not common for women (particularly those in urban area) to be housewives. Even in rich families, most women usually believe that a housewife is stripped off her income sources and it's potentially dangerous to become dependent only on her husband, while men also encourage their wives to socially bond with the outside community, plus one person's income is generally not enough to support the family. Child care is actually not an issue because China is a Confucian country with an atmosphere where children must-and they really do-love and respect their parents whether the mother stays home to be with them or not. And it's very common for grandparents to take care of their grandchildren before they are old enough to go to the kindergarten. Nonetheless, the number of Chinese housewives has been steadfastly growing due to the highly competitive society, but househusbands are almost unanimously frowned upon.

Related Topics:
China - Imperial China - Tang dynasty - Confucianism - East Asia - Republic of China - People's Republic of China - Great Leap Forward - Cultural Revolution

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~