Life In Urban Studies lll

I read Betty Frieman's "The Problem That Has no name." Especially since I have been a wife for fifteen years, I found the article to be very interesting to read. I could definitely relate to the issues discussed in her essays about the empy feeling a wife can have sometimes. Friedman discusses all of the things that wives and mothers do to maintain their family. She states the question that these woman silently, relunctanly ask themselves: " Is this all?" This yearning, (for more out of life) as the author states, has been silent for over fifteen years. She also goes on to inform us how women were raised and trained as a child to look forward to being a wife and mother. Frieman states that by the end of the 1950's the marraige age was dropping to age 20 and even to the teens, and they were having more children. Women were graduating high school, but dropping our of college for the sake of marraige. I personally feel that marraige and children one of the best things in life to have. However I believe that women have talents and qualities that can be useful and helpful outside of the home as long as she does not neglect her duties. I also think that husbands can do more in the home so that the wife does not feel she is confined to the home. If the wife finds a rewarding career, a job to help her husband financially, or just volunteers her time to help a worthy organization she will feel more fulfilled. And I think that would make her more appreciative of her family and her duties toward them
Furthermore, things are much different today if we compare it with the times the author is describing. Instead of being on the rise marriage seems to be on the decline, and divorce seems to be increasing. More women have careers, and they are having less children. One factor is because of the cost of living. More families are finding it necessary that both parents work and earn an income. Husbands are helping out in the home to make up what the wife is not able to do because she now works. Now, however instead of the "empty feeling" some women desire to stay at home. So now the "problem with no name" has been replaced by a "guilty feeling" about leaving the children at a daycare or with a sitter.
In conclusion I feel that if a women chooses to stay home or have a career it is up to them and thier husbands to decide that together. However, whether they choose to stay at home or work, there must be balance so that the woman does not feel empy, or guilty.