Women's Roles...Are We Going Retro?

Much has changed since the days of June Cleaver on Leave it to Beaver - the perfect housewife and mother, vacuuming the house in her high heels! I know I am nowhere near this role - I'm happy if my house gets vacuumed at all (much less that I am in my sweats) in the middle of my hustle and bustle world! So, how have things changed? Is it just the hectic nature of our society now that has us jumping through hoops? The economy dictating our schedules? Or have we changed in our perception of women's roles and what we think about "little women in the kitchen" mentality? If you think about it, the feminist movement really began back in June's day - if not before...as the video voice-over discussed, Lucy was a perfect example! So, if we have "come so far baby!", are we really happier? enjoying life more? And, if we are happier, then we should be having a positive impact on our society and our children, right? Well, let's see...depression rates among women have soared, more women are now on psychotherapeutic drugs than ever before, more women are in psychological care than ever before and polls show more "dissatisfaction" with our lives among women than ever before! Where is it all coming from? Did you know that there is a growing trend among women to chose to become stay at home mothers? More women are finding their way back home - I know this is not popular among the feminist crowd to discuss because they would have us believe that this is a step backwards, but it is true. The rates among women choosing to stay at home and raise their children (even in the middle of a struggling economy) is growing. "This is significant because, for four decades, women's labor participation rates consistently climbed, from 40.8% in 1970 to 57.5% in 2000. The phenomenon caused profound changes in American family, culture, and economy. The shift in direction has some people wondering whether or not the sexual revolution at work is over and what may have caused the change....In a 2005 study, the U.S. Census Bureau reported an estimated 5.6 million stay-at-home moms. That is a 22% increase from 1994." (from an article by Dulce Zamora at http://www.webmd.com/parenting/guide/hard-choice-for-moms-work-stay-home ) So, what do you think? Why is it that women, in growing number, are choosing to stay home? Even in the economic disaster that is occuring right now for the American family, more women are choosing to be at home with their children - why? Let me hear your opinion on this subject - tomorrow I'll tell you mine!