Housewives who would rather stay home than work | 60 Minutes Australia 

I worked as a full time nurse. What I’ve learned is that you can be passionate and pour your heart out at work, but at the end of the day, you are dispensable. However, your family will forever be grateful for everything you’ve sacrificed for them. ❤

Self worth comes from Being proud and good at what you do. No matter what it is.

So many raw feelings for me. I was born in 1986 in a conservative religious home in ca, raised with a traditional gender roles with a business-owner father, and a SAHM. My sister and I were taught that men would love and appreciate the fact that we were learning to be housewives, and that we could cook and clean etc. I expected to meet the kind of man that my sister did, and that my brother grew into: a husband who would support me if I stayed at home *or* decided to work full or part time. Every man I’ve ever met since, has made me feel shame for ever even expecting that, and expecting that kind of joint, but different forces within the family. I’m expected to take much better care of myself than he ever would, stay fit and trim and healthy and beautiful and have my hair and nails done, raise the kids and make just as much as he does, with separate incomes. I love my work and don’t want to stay home, but I would actually look up to and respect a man much more if he was willing to support me at home. It was easier to just be single because I can’t respect a man who wants me to do all the things a wife and mother does, AND work just like he does. Honestly, it’s easier without a man like this. If I’m going to work, but also in heels and make up every day, and if I’m going to parent the same children, but also carry them, give birth them and nurse them, then what does he really offer? If he wants me to do it all without him, I will. And I am. I’m now happier than ever as a single mom with a demanding career, and raising my 5 year old son full-time alone by myself. The only thing a man would bring me right now is the added stress of a relationship, and the risk of upheaval to my son. If the relationship becomes strained, or he decided to leave or cheat, there would be a lot of repercussions for us. Unless someone really had something to offer, our life is too peaceful right now without a man to make a change and take that risk.

Nothing wrong with that. Some want to work; some want to make a home. Some do both. What’s great is every couple can choose what works for their family.

I gave up my career for my child, I had offers of jobs well paid but they required long hours and a lot of responsibility. I chose to work part time in order to have some time for my son. I don’t know if that’s the best decision but my son needs me and so do I

I work full time in the corporate, and I run a house, shared equal responsibility with my partner. I love my career, I am confident of who I am, and I am proud of what I have achieved. I get to travel on the weekend with my daughter, because I get to do whatever I want with the money I made. And I get to spoil my partner and my child. I applaud these women of what the give up outside of their home. I have a much crazier life, but I love it.

I have worked all my life. I'm 60 and still working. I missed so many things and I regret it now.

Young domestic stay at home moms will enjoy it for awhile. My 87 year old mom who was a stay at home wife always told me not to make the same mistake she did. Her only regret was not being self sufficient and having to depend on my dad for everything.

I want people to do whatever they want to do so long as they are really happy. Honestly, having a loving attentive stay at home mom (or dad) could be a beautiful gift to their children. It gives them a sense of comfort and security. Dinner together at the table. If mom stays at home, it is also work and its her contribution...the one working outside the home has their contribution. Neither is more important but both are essential.

Worked for some, not for all. I worked, then stopped when I married be had a child, after 5 years decided enough with the housework, baking lessons, crafting, tea dates, trolling malls, scrubbing the house and buying all sorts of organizing things, travel etc till one I got tired of all of it. I went back to work, took lessons, changed jobs all while juggling being a mom taking my child to sports and music lessons, school picnics what have you. It’s tiring, stressful yeah but I was happier to have my own career with the full support and understanding of my husband and my son who equally thrived at school. So to each her own. I realized being a housewife was not for me in fact I developed depression when I stayed at home.

No thanks! The best story I have is a lady I chatted briefly with at the laundromat. She told me her husband had died recently. She must have been about 60. I said 'Sorry about your loss!" She replied "Don't be, I'm so happy! My life is a lot less work now!" Never stay home and depend on a man financially. Unless you can work from home and have your own work/life balance. Anything can happen in life whether it's Divorce or Death. It can be financially devastating to start again as a single woman with/without dependents. Not just that but women always end up doing most of the housework in addition to working. So, it's either you both decide what kind of lifestyle you want to have before setting up your house. Both work, kids, cleaning lady and nanny or daycare. Or both work and equally shared housework and childcare? Women should set an example to their daughters and sons to be financially independent and not be a doormat for others.

I found it a ''blessing'' to be at home - for my child!

Im a housewife with a small stay at home business and this is where i come from. I use to work, and it was horrible trying to raise my first daughter and work. Then during a meeting i mentioned an issue and management literally just responded with "well we can always just find new staff" (cue three years later and theres a workers shortage in that sector). But it really hit hard. I resigned after i attempted to reschedule my shifts so i could take my daughter to daycare. My request wasnt even acknowledged, literally my emails were ignored and anytime i verbally brought it up it was just "we will talk about it later". But then i was also in trouble for running late for work because i couldnt get my daughter ready on time. I even remember being pregnant and a manager telling me she had gone back to work just a week after giving birth trying to discourage me from taking my full leave. Its like almost youre not allowed to have kids. *Edit, Im from Australia*

since I had my kids I do not work full-time anymore and I am loving it. I like to be at home, as much as to be out, and I am proud of it.

I think a reduced work week or flex days would allow women to work and also have more time home. Trying to work full-time and manage home and kids....so much harder. (I did it my whole life).

I looked after my own children until they started School and then found jobs to work around School hours. When they got older I started my own business. Was a win win for me.

wow! how stunningly fortunate for them that they can afford to make this choice! so weird when these people say they want to return to the 50s -- poor women always worked. if they'd been "domestic goddesses" their families wouldn't be around today.

Women who can be a stay-at-home mom are truly blessed.

Fortunately, my mom stayed at home with us in our early pre-school years. That is very important for children when they are very young, to have that stability and security and not be shuffled around in daycare or grandmas with 2 full-time working parents. It is understandable that not every household can have one parent at home with the little ones, but in most cases, it is doable for those first 5-6 years of the children and pays off for both children and parents.

I’m counting down the days until our next baby is born in 9 weeks to be a stay at home. With our other two children I worked to help with our families upward mobility but we’re in a place I can stay home now. I’m so tired of doing it all 😭

Personally I feel uncomfortable about the woman who receives a stipend of housekeeping money. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful thing to stay home and look after their children and house. Whether this home role is done by women or men, it’s lovely for the children and the working partner to have a this type of support at home. Equating the decision to stay at home with your children to returning to sexism and the 1950s does a disservice to parents who are so brave as to give up extra income to be with their children.

Nothing new back in the Eastern Hemisphere. We love our moms being at home. It s like a real family❤

I was a stay at home mum for a while and I loved it.

Of course a person would rather stay at home than work! The housewife does the same amount of work as the rest of us, who also go to work but then come home and do the housework too (and bills, grocery shopping, laundry, scheduling, etc.). So they only have half of the work the rest of us do. Sounds fabulous!

I applaud the choice to take care of the home and family, key word being choice.

They fail to mention that in the 50s the wife also had to turn a blind eye to the mistresses and/or second family. The SAHW had no identity and had an allowance.

My mother, grandmother and great grandmother all had brilliant careers. Absolute legends. Inspired me to do the same. I'm in my 60's and retired. My life has been tough, demanding, challenging, exciting and fulfilling - and my kids have benefited immensely from that. Please, ladies - get off your backsides and be better role models to your children!!!

Whatever a person decides to do with their lives I think is…do it! and do it well. I worked for over 40 years in a job that I truly loved and enjoyed, but decided not to have children. I’m 61 now married with wonderful step-kids and even more amazing step-grand children. I now love taking care of our home and my sweet hubby. No regrets! If you are a mom, be a good mom. If you want to juggle career and motherhood do it! But hire good help, you are going to need it. The old fashion way can be very fulfilling. My mother, grandmother, my sisters gave up their lives for families and loved it! NO ONE should dictate how to live, it is always about the choices that work for YOU in your own life.

Tried both. It's what works best. Takes two to run a household.

My wife couldn’t wait to go back to work…..housewife isn’t for everyone and she thinks it’s harder. Just live the life you want!

If i could be a stay at home wife and mother i would! I cannot imagine anything better

We don't need to be on opposing sides! I have been a stay at home mom for 32 years, still have kids at home. my cousins have all had careers and had their kids and everyone is healthy and happy in all of our households. Stop pitting us against each other.

I have been a stay @ home Mother for the past 7 years. I did become a Certified Dental Assistant during that time. I started working in the field and my absence @ home was hard on my children (13 yrs,10 yrs & Twin 9 yr olds) so my partner,family&I decided I needed to be at the house again. Now... my partner is a truck driver and gone during Monday-Friday. I am truly grateful that I am able to stay home with my children and able to drop everything and get to school if they need to be picked up or no problems if they're sick and need to stay home. BUT... I want to be like other moms and work.

It’s good for women to be housewives as long as they have an education. An education will allow a woman to support herself and the children in the case of cheating, domestic violence, etc, resulting in divorce.

My moms biggest regret is not staying home with her kids. After college, I knew I wanted to be sure to stay home with mine and take care of my family. I didn’t want to have the same regret. Now I take care of everyone at home, help with my husbands parents, and hubby takes care of me. Including by putting money into my own Roth IRA and savings account in my name. He has no complaints.

When you get to 50, live more for yourself you ever have before. Whether that means a job, aa career, foling your passion, whatever that means. Like the lady said, you have 40 years left, hopefully, to live.

I so agree. I loved being a stay at home mommy in the 90s and early 2000's But it only helps if the marriage is one of respect and love with both the man and woman. However, it it not something everyone would want and that is fine too. One size does not fit all. Having children are such a short time in life. I am 54 now and have a career as a baker cake decorator, so it does not mean once the children are grown you cannot have a career.

this is what America need, when your kids grew up in a normal home. they'll not think of doing harm to others like school shootings. they have someone to guide them on makjng decisions as they grew up with a supportive mom. having good examples starts from home. i believe on this. they are supermom and super housewives! salute ❤🎉

This works great as long as there's no divorce.

I LOVE being at home! My husband and family are my heart! I have raised and homeschooled all five of our children. The two that are adults are very successful! I was home for 11 years and now work 20 hours or less per week. Yes, we did make many sacrifices for me to be home, but it has been sooo worth it! I am over 50 with 3 school aged children and , now, 2 grandchildren. I will be schooling them as well. Hubby adores me and takes such good care of us. We are so very blessed!!! Anyone who says staying at home is a calm ride is delulu. I’d like to know about that old feminists children and husband. What legacy is she leaving behind? Who will care for her in her old age? As I said, I am over 50. My youngest is ten and will graduate when I am into my 60s! I pity that woman. My life is so rich and I am surrounded by those whom I deeply love. I can’t wait till I have 20 grandchildren!!!

there is nothing wrong with wanting to be a stay at home mom, but stop saying 'he is working hard all day...' - so do you! and financial decisions should still made as a couple, don't accept his handouts!

Gotta say, this lifestyle makes me ill and I would slit my wrists within a week. I’m so glad I have a career and am independent. Those women are trapped and won’t be able to escape if needed. They complain they can’t have it all, but that’s only because their men aren’t stepping up to the plate and doing half the home and child care, that’s their fault for tolerating it.

Stay at home wife and mother of 7 kids here for the past 27 years here. I DO have a life and I love the life I chose. And yes, my husband controls the money. As long as he gives me what I need to take care of the home and family, (and he does) I’m golden!

Thank you for leaving the comments on 🙏😊

The children can only benefit!! Good on these cool ladies for knowing what they want and going for it.

Am so proud of stay at home mothers. Because of them we have wonderful families ❤🇵🇬

I didn't understand this until I had my first baby and then I was desperate to stay at home with her! I wasn't able to until my second baby came 3 years later and daycare for 2 cost more than my pay after taxes (I'm in California). I was able to stay home for 18 months and I loved every second of it! I also didn't let my husband dictate to me, I insisted on still being a 50/50 partner in every decision. I then went back to work part-time for my own mental health until both kids went to school and then I went back to work and was happy to. And the kids enjoyed being at an after-school care program with their friends. So this can work, but I can't imagine never working after I had kids. But if they're all happy, fantastic! To each his/her own.

Being a SAHM doesn't mean she's not also a feminist. I'm not sure why that was even said, other than to be provocative.

It's not that we want to go back because of preference, we want to go back because now most of us have to do this as well as a 9-5 and it's an utterly exhausting existence.

I will never ever regret the years I spent with my children at home. I miss it every day now they are in school

I can't agree with this more! Society would be far better off if children had a parent at home. Our children are a gift from God and are ours to raise. I didn't have kids to send them away. The peace of a clean home, home cooked meals, and PRESENT parents is irreplaceable and I am grateful my children will grow up this way.

Housekeeping, homemaker tasks are something to be proud of, particularly partnering with husband to raise children and family in general. The issue here is these tasks are not monetized.

The comments who say that yoir family will always appreciate what you do are livimg a delusion. Sometimes they do but sometimes they dont. I gave up family life and kids for my career and financial abundance and have no regrets

Staying home and being a homemaker is actually working.

The problem is they all care about what other people think of them, they don't have a clear picture of themselves with other people's views blocking theirs.

I worked for years, put myself thru college, got married had a daughter. I will say all of it was what I made of it, and definitely being a mom was life-changing but at the end one must love being alone or with people bc you will have both regardless.

You're COMPLETELY replaceable at work, but Irreplaceable to your family.

I find it truly sad reading all these comments written after more than 100 years of fighting for EQUAL opportunities for men and women. I am happily divorced living in Spain where most women were houswives in the past century and all of them at the mercy of their husbands. If I hadnt had my job I would't have been able to become independent. Your children need mothers who can not only cook and clean but also orovide for them economically. Your husbands may leave you one day or die or become violent. Are you willingly giving up your freedom and independence?

What a dumb comment! "If someone else is responsible for you, you´ve given up your life" I LOVED the years I spent as a stay at home mom, I gave my kids the best of me and also my husband. That is NOT giving up your life, it´s enjoying it as you chose to. I think that if you´re lucky enough to have a good partner that can afford this way of life and you want to do it, do so. Enjoy life at home, kids, your own time, the husband, etc.

My father, like many men, gave my mom every paycheck. She managed the money, housework, kids.

I am single, but work from home and look after/supervise care for a relative. I enjoy being more focused on my home life, making family a priority, cooking and keeping our home tidy and welcoming. Were I to marry, and my spouse could afford it, I would have no qualms about being a stay at home wife.

Seriously goals ❤️❤️

It's a different world now. Its too risky and insecure for women to be a stay at home mum. You never know when your husband will lose their job or you need emergency money or your parents need financial supports. Sorry we are living in a stressful time and we are in a stressful world.

How wonderful to see this coming back. I think the rewards and benefits will be seen as the children in these homes mature.

I love looking after my family. I retired at 40 from Law and have enjoyed every minute of being a mum and wife. I chose to leave my professional academic career and my husband was totally supportive. We are also blessed in that we can afford to have this luxury of being able to make and live this choice. I also am the ‘financial controller’ but we both have equal access to all the cash. And for godsake leave Germaine alone. She is the reason we can have a choice. That woman is a LEGEND. Ive met her many times and she is beyond cool 😎 🥰

I wanted to be at home to raise my children, to be an active part of their lives, to give them a solid base to launch their lives from. I was able to do that for six years but finances dictated that I return to full-time work. The trade-off was a disruption in my career path, a trade-off I was willing to make.

I was so happy when I quit my career and stayed home with my daughter. The world of house cleaning, cooking whatever it is is FAR better than the toxic political world of the workplace today. My father, b. 1911 would come home, cook dinner when needed, tell me I didn't have to do the dishes so I could get on with my homework and he would do it. There were no separation of work in our house, we all jumped in. He had no sons, I helped him with cars, building projects, whatever. It was the best way to experience homelife.

We got ahead when I became housewife and at home caretaker for our elderly parents.

Awesome!!!!!! The kids deserve it!!!!!

There's no shame in being a housewife. The point of feminism should be equality-that nobody can tell women what they can and cannot do based on the genitals they were born with. So if being a housewife makes you happy, awesome! If climbing the corporate ladder is more your style that's awesome too! The point is we should be free to do what we want with our own lives and find fulfillment from it. I love being domestic and I like the thought of providing my family with amazing meals. But that's my decision. Hubby and I are going to have a problem if he _expects_ that from me just because I'm the wife.

What an absurdly offensive headline.--Sincerely a work from home mom with an MBA and fairly 'impressive' international work background who greatly prefers the exhausting, frustrating work of raising a little one, cooking all our meals, cleaning, etc. Housewives work non-stop. But it's work that fulfills many of us way more than Director roles. I currently have both titles and DOO means nothing to me.

This is a partnership. Women are also going to work and are making money. Times have changed.

To each their own; we didn't come to this earth to have a shared experience; I applaud these women.

I was a SAHM for 20 years and have zero regret. Focusing on raising my children was the best...and most important...thing I'll do. I went back to work when they were older and grown and now have a successful and lucrative career working in healthcare. Women can have it all...but doesn't have to be at the same time.

For those criticising it: you think it’s oppressive to stay home, take care of the kids and be provided for, but will happily be overworked and most times underpaid by a boss/company who would replace you the next day if you dropped dead? 😂

As a person who worked non-stop for 10-some years, I never thought of giving up my career until I had my little girl. Unlike the companies that let you go in a heartbeat, you mean the world to your children when they are young. Being a SAHM rocks! 😊

This only works when it is done the way my parents did it. Mom knew where the money was and dad walked the crying baby up and down the hall to give her a break. True partners who respected and cared for each other.

I’ve thoroughly loved being a stay at home mum I raised 5 children took care of my elderly parents and couldn’t think of a better way of life ❤

I'm a 37 year old American who got married at 21 and have been living the fairytale life of being a homemaker and homeschooling Mom of 5 for over 15 years. I LOVE it. I truly love maintaining my home, raising the kids and nurturing my husband and our marriage. My life is fairly low stress, kids are happy and our marriage is awesome. I'm glad to see the doors opening again to allow other women to enjoy this lifestyle too.

I stayed home for 10 years with my children. It was never about being a wife it was because my husband made more money than I did at the time. Don't kid yourself it's hard work! I Also was responsible for every aspect of family life, I cooked and cleaned, I paid the bills, I ran our budget, I dealt with all appointments (even my husband's), I did homework with the kids and volunteered at their school and our church. My day started at 7 am and ended at 9 pm. No way could my husband pay someone enough for that job, and he knew it. Oh, and I gardened and grew most of our fresh produce in the summer and canned food for winter. Feminism is about choice women getting to chose what they want to be.

Good on these women they'll never regret the precious 'time' they gave their children, being that vital person supporting their children's well being, education and growth. It's a full time career in itself.

My mother had to work as 2 wages were needed to pay bills and feed a family with 3 children. Mum did all the housework and cooking and worked full-time. Without her earning we would have been cold in winter without wood or a freezer full of food. It wasn't a choice to work it was a necessity to pay the bills.

Sometimes it’s not a choice for both parents to work, childcare costs a fortune

Its one thing to want to be a stay at home mom. Its another thing when your husband demands you to stay at home, or demands his dinner on the table. I have been happily married for 22 years to a wonderful man. He does NOT expect anything from me but appreciates all that I do. He also helps around the house and takes care of me as I take care of him. We are a Team!! And that is what marriage is all about. We cook together, we clean together. When I had to have my hips replaced and could no longer go up and down the stairs he took over all the laundry duties. I even suggested we move our washer and dryer upstairs so I can still do it but he said no that he will take care of it. I say if a woman wants to stay at home then she should if she wants to work then she should. If a man wants to be a stay at home dad hey more power to him. But everything should be a shared decision. I would never be ok with my husband giving me an allowance each week in the amount that his sees fit. What's his is mine and what's mine is his. But hey if these woman want a man to tell them how they can live their lives, more power to them. But in all honestly that couple probably isn't going to last. She is gonna get tired of his demanding ways.

Speaking as a lady in her 60s that had 4 children, I have seen the role of women in Australia change dramatically. There is nothing wrong with a woman working outside the home, as long as the home duties are shared EQUALLY with her partner ‘IF ‘ they are working as well. But what I have noticed in an overwhelming number of families, women are aspected to still do most or all of the so called women’s duties at home as well. Also why have children if you hand them over to strangers to look after? So it is still a man’s world, just look at who’s running and making the rules of the country!

As this story is 14 years old.. I’d love to know what the long term outcomes have been. Are they still at home? Did they eventually go back to work?

The ideal for many women is part time work 2-3 days a week. If you are totally reliant on a man for money,housekeeping etc. What happens if marriage ends after 20 years? How do you support yourself then?

I like having a choice. I worked but stopped when my daughter was born and I had the opportunity to stay at home for 5 years. I watched her first steps-we had no stress-we bonded. I would trade millions for this.

Being a stay at home mom is NOT old fashioned. It is a timeless art. And a privilege.

So many women entered the workforce because of horror stories of husbands running off with the secretary, and leaving their wives and children destitute. As long as men fulfill their duty as breadwinner, many women will be satisfied staying at home and being homemakers. The thing is, that teamwork must be there. Without that teamwork, women are forced to enter the workforce. Many do it out of fear rather than desire.

I’ve been a stay at home mom and mother of 5 for 30 years. I’m almost 50 now and absolutely love my life. I still have two kids at home, the youngest being 10. I can’t imagine going back to work now. Nor do I want to. I’m very fortunate. I have a wonderful hard working husband that has every evening and weekend off and we make a wonderful team. ♥️

Take care of him when he gets home from work because he's been working all day! Haha! What has she been doing? If he had to pay a maid, cook, cleaner, and child minder, he'd need to make a lot more money than he probably does.

Finally some sense in the world. Glad to see there's some woman who don't think this is oppressive.

Anyone heard of the Cinderella Complex? The Four D’s? Death, divorce desertion and dementia. Stay home if you will and don’t say anyone didn’t warn you.

Ya and the hubby on the couch with the remote, while she prances with cleaning LMAO, he would be out the door ASAP.

I'm a housewife and I'm so grateful for the ability to homeschool my kids and be there for my family all day. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The danger is when your husband has worked up a good pension or savings account and he leaves you when you're older. Unfortunately countries like Australia are super backwards when it comes to financial equality.

I actually love being able to take care of my family. My husband is the main breadwinner and I clean houses part time. I didn’t work outside the home for 4 1/2 yrs when my son was born. It’s very rewarding. I don’t think it’s fair to assume we are giving up something bc we aren’t we are able to be there for our husbands and children we are helping mold a generation.

I chose to be a housewife until my kids grow up and start school as I believe that the first years are very important, and the kids grow up so fast! The idea of me being there all the time gives them that safety net and I love it! We are not doing great financially but it's a sacrifice we agreed to make! I think it's healthier for the whole family to be a stay home mum until the kids are old enough to go to school at least! A working mum is a tough mum and I respect that alot! Shaming shouldn't be there in both choices! Each to there own honestly!!

It would be nice to have a follow up to this story since it's been 14 years!