C.S. Lewis wrote something that made me revere housewife work and has led me to think of it as the ultimate career... and I have no intention of ever entertaining any other point of view.
Lewis writes:
"A housewife’s work …is surely, in reality, the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their own homes? … We wage war in order to have peace, we work in order to have leisure, we produce food in order to eat it. So your job is the one for which all others exist."
If I think deeply about why men work in the grand scheme of things, it becomes clear that much of men’s labor exists ultimately to support this central, life-giving work of the home.
Your reflection on C.S. Lewis makes sense. I’ve never shied away from the role of a housewife — in fact, I’ve always taken pride in it. There is dignity, purpose, and a quiet strength in holding a home together, and Lewis puts that truth into words beautifully.
But the point I want to highlight is this: while I embrace this role wholeheartedly, the expectations placed on me often extend far beyond just my home. I’m responsible not only for my own family, but for his side of the family as well — emotionally, socially, practically. The weight of these responsibilities somehow defaults to the woman.
And yet, this balance isn’t always reciprocal.
So yes, I honor the work of a housewife. I consider it meaningful. But I also believe that if this role is seen as central and life-giving, then its emotional and social burdens should be shared with the same sincerity and respect — not assumed to be mine alone.