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Traditionally this role has been filled predominantly by women. It is still the case today in most societies and many men and women alike view that a homemaker is the natural, appropriate and most fulfilling role for women. Reasons for choosing the occupation of a housewife vary, but many women choose it largely because of financial benefits and their view of families. In many countries, including the United States and Japan, housewives can further claim certain tax deductions. Feminists have criticized this tax policy of giving unfair financial incentive for young women to choose a housewife or a part-time job over full time job.
Many feminists, beginning with Betty Friedan, have criticised the marginalisation of women as housewives. Feminists generally suggest that homemaking should be an appropriate role for a parent of either sex. Also, they maintain that housewives can become socially isolated by being tied to their home.
Some feminists also point out that the monetary contribution of housewives work to society is ignored in standard formulations of economic output, such as GDP or employment figures. In the US, housewives work many hours a week without it being recorded, while depending on their partners employment to provide health insurance and money.
Homemakers are usually financially dependent on members of the household who are employed; however, people working full-time (particularly under " at-will employment" arrangements) are also financially dependent. In many employment situations, women still face discrimination in salary and employment conditions; the relationship between these facts and women's homemaking role are complex.
A range of educational and practical experiences can prepare someone for an occupation at home. In high school, they may for instance study cooking, nutrition, home economics, family and consumer scienceFamily and consumer sciences or home economics is an academic discipline concerning consumer science, nutrition, cooking, parenting, interior decoration, textiles, gardening, and other subjects related to home management. Family and Consumer Sciences comb or food and cooking hygieneThe preparation of food involves potentially severe health hazards if basic hygiene routines are ignored. Food can transmit disease from person to person as well as serve as a growth medium for bacteria that can cause food poisoning. The following are fun. However, many of these skills are acquired by experience and observation of domestic routines during childhood.
Househusbands are seen in increasing numbers in Western culture, since the late 20th century19th century 20th century 21st century more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901- 2000 in the sense of the Gre. In East Asian nations like Japan and South KoreaThe Republic of Korea (ROK; Korean: Daehan Minguk ( Hangul: ; Hanja: )), commonly known as South Korea is a country in East Asia, covering the southern half of the Korean peninsula. To the north, the Republic of Korea borders North Korea, with which it fo this is less common, and the traditional view of women is still dominant. The belief that homemaking is "women's work" remains pervasive (see gender role), and the large majority of homemakers remains female.
Personal care and service occupations