Brunette Housewife Girl In Charge Of Her Household

Many feminists, such as Betty Friedan, have criticized the marginalization of women as 'housewives.' Feminists generally suggest that 'housework' should be an appropriate role for a parent of either sex, believing that gender roles do not have any basis other than social conditioning. Also, they maintain that women can become socially isolated by being tied to their home. Some feminists would argue that the goal of feminism is not to close off any options for women, but to create opportunities for women to pursue careers in traditionally male occupations, as well as providing males an option to pursue roles that so far have been perceived as "strictly female".
Some feminists as well as certain non-feminist economists (particularly proponents of historical materialism) 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. Housewives work many unrecorded hours a week, while depending on their partner's employment to provide health insurance and household income. Proponents of collective economics argue that housewives' work does not contribute to the general economy, and should not be rewarded with tax breaks. However many feminists have refuted this idea, citing the staggering costs (e.g. childcare) that the state or individuals would be forced to assume in the absence of unpaid homemakers.