Do Women Really Not Want to Work?

[Anonymous]

Woman here. O I don't want to work. I'd rather focus on my home and kids.

[Anonymous]

Highly educated, high earning woman here, who is married to a similarly high earning man. In my ideal situation, we'd have $50m in the bank and we'd BOTH quit and hang out without responsibility. Maybe some volunteering here and there. Nothing too major. Donate lots of cash. My next ideal situation is our current situation (high earning, low hours). My least ideal is not working, while DH goes off to work every day. It's boring, creates an imbalance in the marriage (emotionally and financially), and unfulfilling for me.

[Anonymous]

In my experience, neither men nor women really want to work. It's just more socially acceptable for women not to. Also, most of my female friends feel like they have to want to because of the stigma associated with not having a paying job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i want to work, but only for 4 hours a day. i also want time off for all school holidays and snow days and when kids fall sick. what am i willing to forgo? medical insurance.

+1 My dream would be to keep my existing job at 4 hours a day with more vacation time as well. I like working but would love a more relaxed home life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highly educated, high earning woman here, who is married to a similarly high earning man. In my ideal situation, we'd have $50m in the bank and we'd BOTH quit and hang out without responsibility. Maybe some volunteering here and there. Nothing too major. Donate lots of cash. My next ideal situation is our current situation (high earning, low hours). My least ideal is not working, while DH goes off to work every day. It's boring, creates an imbalance in the marriage (emotionally and financially), and unfulfilling for me.

No shit Sherlock. + infinity. On your team. I do think some women can get behind being a SAH and not view it as an abject power imbalance. I’d personally go running for the hills... but I think that’s the silly SAH/WOH wars. We just don’t get one another and respect each other. We lack the ability to be in each other’s shoes for a second and consider life isn’t so black & white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience, neither men nor women really want to work. It's just more socially acceptable for women not to. Also, most of my female friends feel like they have to want to because of the stigma associated with not having a paying job.

Men are actually expected to provide for families or potential families. Women, on the other hand, sell their sexual access to the highest bidder.

[Anonymous]

Work is highly overrated

[Anonymous]

I'm a woman. The people I look up to the most (i.e. family, friends, historical figures, modern people, etc) do some sort of work. There is something about seeing people achieve and accomplish things, that inspires me.

While I respect the choice of those who choose to not work, it is not a lifestyle I am inspired by.

I do wish American society was setup like some European models where adults can choose how much they work, and not have their careers or lifestyles suffer for it. It would be great to cut back when necessary, like when the kids are young, and then ramp up if and when you're ready for more. I read an article that said Switzerland has this kind of system and it works great for professional workers who wish to maintain their career while also caring for a family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a woman. The people I look up to the most (i.e. family, friends, historical figures, modern people, etc) do some sort of work. There is something about seeing people achieve and accomplish things, that inspires me.

While I respect the choice of those who choose to not work, it is not a lifestyle I am inspired by.

I do wish American society was setup like some European models where adults can choose how much they work, and not have their careers or lifestyles suffer for it. It would be great to cut back when necessary, like when the kids are young, and then ramp up if and when you're ready for more. I read an article that said Switzerland has this kind of system and it works great for professional workers who wish to maintain their career while also caring for a family.

I disagree. In most European countries women are expected to work and while they have part time options, their upward mobility is limited. It’s expected for women to take lengthy maternity leaves and work part time. As a result, it’s harder for women to “ramp up” as you say. In some scandanavian countries, the largest employer of women is the government.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Highly educated, high earning woman here, who is married to a similarly high earning man. In my ideal situation, we'd have $50m in the bank and we'd BOTH quit and hang out without responsibility. Maybe some volunteering here and there. Nothing too major. Donate lots of cash. My next ideal situation is our current situation (high earning, low hours). My least ideal is not working, while DH goes off to work every day. It's boring, creates an imbalance in the marriage (emotionally and financially), and unfulfilling for me.

Why would you be bored? Do you really think you couldn't find something worthwhile to do with your time, or do you only value earning money?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Highly educated, high earning woman here, who is married to a similarly high earning man. In my ideal situation, we'd have $50m in the bank and we'd BOTH quit and hang out without responsibility. Maybe some volunteering here and there. Nothing too major. Donate lots of cash. My next ideal situation is our current situation (high earning, low hours). My least ideal is not working, while DH goes off to work every day. It's boring, creates an imbalance in the marriage (emotionally and financially), and unfulfilling for me.

Why would you be bored? Do you really think you couldn't find something worthwhile to do with your time, or do you only value earning money?

Most people don’t want to dedicate their entire lives for hobbies. The more leisure time you have, the less valuable it becomes. Work provides a purpose for many and also forces interaction with others you normally wouldn’t socialize with. It’s why many wealthy men continue working. Most people don’t want to be stuck at home or forced to fill idle time with hobbies day after day.

[Anonymous]

No but women do expect men to provide everything they want. Oh, and, equal rights.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely want to work. I have no desire to SAH and I don’t think I could ever feel comfortable relying on my husband that way (not knocking others who do, it’s just not for me). I just don’t want to stay up all night working while 38 weeks pregnant with an 18 month old. But that’s the norm in my field and we really can not afford for me to take a pay cut at this time in our lives. I would love to work a 9-5 job that doesn’t expect me to be at their beck and call 24/7, and is flexible so that I can try to be there for the needs of my young family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Highly educated, high earning woman here, who is married to a similarly high earning man. In my ideal situation, we'd have $50m in the bank and we'd BOTH quit and hang out without responsibility. Maybe some volunteering here and there. Nothing too major. Donate lots of cash. My next ideal situation is our current situation (high earning, low hours). My least ideal is not working, while DH goes off to work every day. It's boring, creates an imbalance in the marriage (emotionally and financially), and unfulfilling for me.

Why would you be bored? Do you really think you couldn't find something worthwhile to do with your time, or do you only value earning money?

What do you suggest I do while I have children in school and I’m living in the DC area? I don’t workout and I dislike homemaking. I can’t travel extensively because I have children. Outside of taking up golf, I can’t figure out what I would do. One can only read so many books.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No but women do expect men to provide everything they want. Oh, and, equal rights.

What a charming worldview....