When did we decide that raising one’s own children was a luxury hobby for the wealthy, like yachting?
January 22nd, 2008 — 09:16 pm
Why do people think that our ecomomy is suddenly *so* terrible that only the very rich can afford to live on one income? The average one-income married couple makes about $26,000 *less* per year than the average two-income married couple. (source #1) They simply choose to live on less.
Even in the 1930’s, most children were raised by family members, not strangers. (source #2) They didn’t consider this to be a a “luxury”. Does anyone else think it’s terribly sad that people are apparently dreaming of the day when they can stay at home with their child?
Is the economy *really* so much worse now than in the 1930’s? Or is it just that “time with the kids” is one of the first things on the list of priorities to be given up, not the last? Is this a personal choice or just fate? Does society pressure women to give up staying at home, and if so, shouldn’t we object to this coercion?
(Sources: “The Two-Income Trap” Warren and Warren, “Home by Choice” Brenda Hunter)
Er, can people not *choose* to live somewhere other than San Francisco or Manhattan? Did I miss something there? My hubby had a great job offer in NY, but didn’t take it because the cost of living is too high there – he took the job offer in Phoenix instead. So folks are choosing to live in an expensive city, they are not victims of fate.
america yacht sales
