Indeed an interesting topic, for some reason I preferred to shy away when there was a little spat between homeyji and footy, but I am glad it ended at that.

Let me put forth two different scenarios, and believe me, this is not an exaggeration.

My executive director has two teenagers; his wife has a high end salon in the city. Financially, for two hicks (they call themselves one) from Colby Kansas, it was a dream come true. A half a million dollar home in Midwest, two top dollar cars, and kids in private school, and I am certain there is an awesome retirement plan too. But here is the catch, both he and his wife often complain that they cannot raise their kids the way they wanted. Their older daughter believes in Goth, thanks to her best friend and prefers wearing black lipstick when parents are not around, her grades have hit rock bottom for last few years, and she does little to ameliorate it. Both of them firmly believe that if his wife stayed home there would have been a better outcome. I know, he could have chosen to quit job himself, but again, BOTH admit his wife could do a better job raising kids.

On the contrary, my friend who is a geotechnical engineer strongly believes his wife is wasting her degree looking after their 2 year old kid. His wife insists that her daughter would do well with her tutelage while my friend believes in day care, and wants his wife to make a career.

I am struggling to understand what is right. While I agree that women should bring home the bacon like men do, I also believe that kids are raised well under a stay at home mother. There could always be a mid way, but then we all know it is rocky.

Having said that, I do not think there is a ‘missed opportunity’ with stay at home moms. It takes significant amount of challenge to raise a kid, infact more challenging than thumping tables and bickering with the male counterparts at corporate meetings. I know there are mothers who consider being a corporate hot-shot is a path to success, and there also are mothers who are content staying at home and consider it an absolute bliss.

Strictly speaking of women, I do not think one is successful only by breaking a glass ceiling or burning their bra. Just like I do not entirely believe men should claim their success over silk ties, mahogany tables and a fat paycheck.