[This article was written by Bryan Matthew Dockens.]
Given the rise in popularity of stay-at-home-dads and women with full-time jobs outside the home, it is appropriate to consider the validity of such an arrangement.
The word of God affirms the duty of women to fulfill the role of homemaker. Paul instructed “older women” to “admonish the young women… to be… homemakers” (Titus 2:3-5).
Elsewhere, the apostle made clear the responsibility of young women to “manage the house” (1 Timothy 5:14). In no wise is this a slight against women. This term is translated from a Greek word which is derived from two other words meaning “house” and “master”. The one who manages the house occupies a position of leadership worthy of respect.
A woman’s primary role is domestic in nature. This is not to the total exclusion of all else, for the “virtuous wife” extolled by King Lemuel was quite active beyond the walls of her house (Proverbs 31:10-31). A woman is not necessarily prohibited additional employment, but she would need to quit such if it interfered with her function at home.
Men are nowhere in scripture commanded to manage the house or be homemakers. They have other work to do. God told man, apart from woman, “In toil you shall eat” and “In the sweat of your face you shall eat” (Genesis 3:17, 19).
Men must be out working, while women stay home to manage the house. It’s that simple.
I heard a new report yesterday that said that women have surpassed men in the workforce. How sad!
Sad indeed. Of course there are some circumstances when a wife must work. But how many women work because they don’t want to stay home with the kids? How many families could get by on the husband’s income, but want more “things,” so the wife works? How many husbands could work a part time job to supplement his income rather than his wife taking a job? I don’t know that we could find the statistics to answer these questions. But it is something to think about.