Mothers in the Home

This week we talked about mothers int he home. (I know I have already touched on this, but it is really important!) Since the women's equal rights movement more and more women are leaving the home to enter the work force. The number of women with children is increasing as well as the number of women with young children under preschool age. The effects on our society have been really interesting to observe.
First, a little history lesson (watered down). Prior to the industrial revolution women and men worked side by side in making their home prosper. "Industries" were a market of kind. It seems the whole family was collaborating together to make their home function in their work. True, women learned skills that were conducive to their nature, as did the men. But soon "work" became a matter of monetary value instead of an effort to keep their home functioning. Women were left at home to continue in their homemaking skills, where the men were forced to do labor to provide for the family.
In my opinion, because the definition of "work" changed, women felt their role was somehow less significant than the men's. This may have spurred the desire for "equality." I might have already quoted this once in here, but President Thomas S. Monson has said, "Equality of rights does not imply identity of functions." Today the Egalitarian philosophy demands that men and women demonstrate their equality by doing the exact same jobs. The agreement seems to be, "You put in 50% and I'll put in 50%." We both will work the same amount away from the home, and in the home, we will work the same amount.
Though this may be the desired approach. It simply is not the case. Because mothers are naturally more nurturing and more attentive to detail, the mothers end up doing most of the work in the home anyway! Despite the "agreement!" This can put a lot of wear and tear on a mother. If she has a full time job and is still doing most of the house work and child care, you can imagine the stress she may go through.
In fact, studies have shown that women who work extensively seem to show signs of depression, anxiety, and worse health overall compared to mothers who stay at home. Also their children show aggressive behavior in school that may last up to the 6th grade.
Interestingly, studies show that women who work part-time, but are still there for their children, are more likely to feel more satisfied with life and have better health overall than mothers who work full time or mothers that stay at home throughout the day.
This could be attributed to the fact that they feel more accomplished, and in so doing, feel more confident. They may get to do something they love and feel like they are contributing to the world. I believe we could call this, "being anxiously engaged in a good cause" (D&C 58:27). Though I do not condemn a part-time job that is reasonable and conducive to the family's needs, I think this need (I do believe it is a need. I think it is healthy to cultivate our talents and virtues. I personally hope I never stop learning and growing in areas I have a passion for.) can be fulfilled in many capacities. Mothers can broaden their horizons with church callings, participation in community events, volunteering, and other activities. Clearly a job is not the sole solution for the "need to get out."
What a full time mother can give to a home is irreplaceable. She is a nurturer to her family. Though a father's role is very essential in the family, there are moments that only a mother can experience with her child that creates an intimate bond. It establishes trust between parent and child in which moments of teachings life's most precious principles may occur. This can only happen when the mother is present.
Is it any wonder that the adversary wants to thwart these efforts? Is it any wonder that our society keeps changing in the final chapters of its existence? Just when teaching our children the Plan of Happiness is most crucial in order to be able to fight temptations that seem to swarm mankind? Spencer W. Kimball said, "To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman's strength and influence today can be tenfold what is might be in more tranquil times. She has been placed here to help to enrich, to protect, and to guard the home--which is society's basic and most noble institution."

It may seem unfair that a father is to provide entirely and singlehandedly for the temporal needs of his family. It may be especially difficult when the mother in the family can work just as well or easier. But in fact, Ezra Taft Benson strongly encouraged men to be the providers for their family so they can encourage their wives to stay in the home and nurture their children. There was once a man who was asked to take the garbage out by his wife. His demeaning response was, “I’ll take the trash out when you get a full-time job.” A good provider understands that the nurturing powers of women are priceless. With all the money in the world—no matter how much they will ever make, they could never buy what a mother can do for her children. It is a sacred role that deserves respect and support. Of course,there are circumstances that necessitate added income. Even the Proclamation to the World, addresses that "individual adaptation" may be necessary. However, the principle still stands. Mothers have and will always be meant to nurture their children primarily.