More on Opting Out

Since I have never really considered opting out of the workforce completely, I guess I haven't really thought about why people make the decision. I have many friends who stay at home, and I always thought that they just wanted to stay home, and could afford to do so. But, it isn't as simple as that. According to Bennett in "The Feminine Mistake," it is not always just a personal choice. Some other reasons people make the decision to stay home:

- Their company was not family friendly. That is, despite their efforts to request flexibility, their company was unwilling or unable to provide an alternate work arrangement such as a flexible schedule. If you intend to return to work after having a child and just need some help managing; but your employer refuses to help, you might just quit in frustration.

- A boring or frustrating job. Some people that make the choice to stay home didn't really like their jobs to begin with. If you do not enjoy your job or your career, a baby that you love can seem like a much more attractive way to spend your time.

- An usnsupportive spouse. The reality is that two parents working long hours at stressful jobs makes it difficult, if not impossible, to raise a family. If your spouse is unwilling to alter their work responsibilites in order to help with family responsibilites, it may just be easier to quit and stay at home, even if you want to continue working.

And so, it isn't always as simple as a personal choice. Many stay at home parents feel pushed out of the workforce. While they cherish the chance to spend time with their children, stay at home parents often still have career aspirations. They just can't figure out a way to make it work.