It is a bit old fashioned, but that does not mean it is without merit :-)...You can't stop change my dear and equal rights are here to stay...Rather than focus on what you consider to be the negatives, why not think about some of the positives...You have a voice now (a vote), use it!...You have the ability to support yourself and your children if something should happen to their father, be thankful!...You can run a company, you can create 'your very own' wealth, you can run for political office, you can choose NOT to have children, you can wear pants whenever you feel like it....... and this is just the short list...

Well I was thinking about it the other day and I had an idea that mothers should be paid by the government (not welfare) for their role of raising their first 2 kids until they reach pre-school age (age 3 or 4). That could really help couples stay married, benefit the children, and give women more of the rights that they deserve..

You think government should pay YOU to raise YOUR children?!! ...Perhaps it would make more sense if you and 'the fathe'r come up with a way to pay you to be a stay at home mom...For instance, the daddy could work two,,,,even three jobs! .....This would also save money on birth control items because there would be no time for mundane things like having sex.....Unless!!! you could convince the government to pay for that too!....

What are we talking about? Gender roles in relationships...women in the workplace...parenting skills...breastfeeding abilities???

Geez as long as we are trying to fit everyone inside a box we will struggle to find the right box. Gender roles are as unique as the situation involved. This can be very different according to where you live in the world and the situation involved. I live in Canada and I hope we are open to all kinds of lifestyles and opportunities.

I know quite a few single dads (and some stay at home dads) who are fabulous parents. I also know some mom's who really suck at it. Gender doesn't guarantee skills.

In the workplace...women have more opportunities than ever before and hopefully so do men. There are more men running daycares for instance and home care aides.

In a relationship...I would hope that this is viewed as a partnership and agreed on as to what works for each of them...which changes by the way...as people and their lives, interests and needs grow or lessen. Life requires flexibility.

The government is the people, and it's not my children it's all children. If we valued them and mothers (or could be the father, I'm open minded) it would not seem so crazy. We are getting affordable healthcare for everyone, because healthy people means healthy economy. I think there would be a benefit to women and children in society. Also, it would free up the jobs that could go to more men.

Exactly....

I think that is called maternity/paternity leave...although it doesn't last for years. Believe it or not Estelle there are some women who love their careers AND motherhood and excel at it...

I just looked at your profile.....Now I understand...I guess I should have looked sooner... ...Take care Estelle!

I think people are playing with gender roles and not yet serious about fixing problems within them. I guess it's a good education, but meanwhile the children are suffering while the grown ups play.

I don't mean that, since it would last for a few years. If a woman chooses to work and take care of her children that would be ok under this law. There are still many more women who miss their babies but can't afford to stay home. This is what is upsetting.

u are so alone dear....u poor soul. but have energetic views,,, get a partner and start compromising. u will get to know ur answer.

Ok sweetie..

Speaking for myself, I'd be perfectly content with the reversal of traditional gender roles. If I could manage to marry a woman who made enough take-home money to support our lifestyle and children, without me having to work**, I'd leap at the chance (provided she met all my other conditions for a happy, successful relationship, like being a total geek).
As a man, a bachelor, I already take care of my property, meals, bills, and cleanliness. And I have to say - it's really not that hard. (I like to think I keep my house in pretty good order - I don't live in a pigsty.) Two people would increase this by a factor of at least two, of course, but if I didn't have to work, I'd have plenty of time to take care of a factor of two or more. This wouldn't be a huge lifestyle change for me.

The sad part of this case, though, is that the woman would be marrying a man who didn't [have to] work, and society reaaaaaaaaaaally looks down on that kind of thing. I might be okay with being a "kept husband", and she might be okay with keeping a husband, but regardless of our opinions, society has something else to say on the matter.

**though I would at least like to have a lifelong occupation, even if I didn't need it for the money

No. This is another part of what's wrong with today. 'Jaded' women who just hads' ta ha' dat baby go lesbian. Men can't be fathers when the court and the woman take the child and use it as a paycheck.

You lost me after "...what's wrong with today". I would really like to understand. I know my idea was not even serious, because most women would not go for that idea (myself included). But the system is messed up, I agree. I am trying to think outside the box of women are to blame or men, it's the system that's broken and society, and the children are suffering the most. I think men and women need to figure out their damn roles but maybe the government can help them out by finally respecting mothers for the work they do so that they don't have to be at 2 places at the same time anymore.

There is no "free ride". You have children, you take care of them. Perhaps being careful of when and who you decide to have them with is the first step. But having children and then deciding the system owes you to take care of them IS what's broken. If you are a parent you are the adult. Act like it. Suck it up princess.

I've been reading about my idea and I have learned some interesting things. The U.S. is the only industrialized country that has zero paid leave. So, suck that up Happiness2U...
The U.S. needs to get with the program..even Muslim countries which you probably think are backwards such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia have paid leave. So much for a decent conversation on gender roles in society..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/04/maternity-leave-paid-parental-leave-_n_2617284.html

I think FOX news creates gender roles in society now. bwahahahaha

The above comment is not Hannity approved.

Hold on there, your article only tells part of the story...The Family and Medical Leave act entitles some workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave when they have babies...Twenty-five states have supplemented Federal regulations and provide more extensive maternity leave benefits...Three states, California, New Jersey and Washington, provide family leave through payroll taxes...Some states have designated childbirth as a temporary disability in order to guarantee mothers paid maternity leave through Disability Insurance provisions...Some companies provide paid leave...Also, your article omits the fact that paid maternity leave isn't a universal right because many countries don't offer the benefits to ALL working mothers of newborns...Temp workers in Canada don't receive cash benefits, home workers in Norway and Switzerland don't get maternity leave and civil servants in Japan don't get maternity leave...Canada also excludes migrant workers and moms that own more than 40% of their business...Along with this, Canada requires women to have at least 600 hours of insurable employment to be eligible for maternity leave...Things are never as black and white as you try to make them Estelle...