I'm reading a book (a loaner from my friend Heidi) called Good Wives.  It's a history by Lauren Thatcher Ulrich of the role of woman in early American colonial times.  She studies the lives (what we know about them) of three American women between 1650 and 1750.  Much of what we know is from the inventories of their homes, taken for various reasons, usually related to death or property dispute.  It is a very interesting read (when I get to read my own book choice, for about 10 minutes a day!).

The term that has most caught my imagination is "huswifery."  It is the feminine counterpart to "husbandry"-- you know, caring for livestock is animal husbandry.  So caring for the home and those in it is "huswifery." 

For years, the term "housewife" has rubbed me the wrong way.  I'm not married to the house, so don't call me a housewife!  But seeing my work around the home as "huswifery" (which I suspect is the original derivation of the word housewife), that is, caring for my home (and thus for all the people in it) is indeed my pleasure.

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Posted by mrsmaintenance

You're not a housewife - you're a homemaker! They say that love is what makes a house a home, and it's people like you and me and all the other stay-at-home moms out there, that inspired by the love of our families - MAKE HOMES! :) We make our families' nests more comfortable, feed our young, and even serve as live-in entertainment. Stay-at-home mom: Full time job, overtime required, on call 24/7!

Anyway, about the book you're reading...the 1600s were NOT a good time to be a woman! I'm so glad I didn't live back then! The 1950s were bad enough...thank goodness for Women's Lib! :D

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Posted by UndertheSky

I think I like the term just because so many people dislike it. That is my little rebellion for you. :+) I like it because I am the mistress of my home. In many old novels the woman of the house, or mistress, kept "the keys." She was in charge of all of stock of the home and kept track of all of it. Nothing went out without her knowledge and authority. That is still our job today, though we don't have to carry literal keys anymore.

I like my job and appreciate even the history behind it. Thanks for sharing that with me!

Warmly,
Kate

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Posted by

A funny for you: in college, I made a comment about liking having lots of keys on my keychain because it implied I had lots of control. My friend lovingly reminded me that it is the janitors who carry all the keys, and the principal who has the master key. =)
Nowadays, I like that analogy because it reminds me that I am the steward of our home and our lives... and God carries the master key.
Blessings,
Annie

Edited by momco3 on Nov. 3, 2006 at 1:24 PM

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