Dip in Working Women First in 25 Years

by Ken Walker                                                                                      Vol. IX, No. 8, September 1996

           While social observers don't agree on the depth of a trend toward working women returning home, Cindy Abernathy can see the evidence all around her. She is one of six college-educated, professional women in her northern Kentucky community who quit working the past few years to concentrate on raising their children.

           Abernathy taught music 16 years before the birth of her son, Clayton, in June 1994. "I feel I'm the best care giver he could have," said Abernathy, a member of Latonia (Ky.) Baptist Church. "I wanted my priority to be him instead of teaching school. I took a year off because I had tenure and fully intended to go back. But I decided my heart wasn't in it. "I knew the quality of life was more important than extra income. I couldn't be super-mom and super-teacher."

           Although the numbers don't indicate a huge shift -- dual-income families still outnumber single-income families three to one -- the number of working women ages 25 to 44 declined in 1994 for the first time in 25 years.

           In the Christian world, the recent release of Larry Burkett's book, Women Leaving The Workplace, will add fuel to the dialogue. The book was spurred by the marketing director of a large pantyhose manufacturer telling Burkett of a 25 percent drop in sales, which the company primarily attributed to women leaving work and not needing as many pantyhose for casual, domestic wardrobes.

           Burkett, a nationally syndicated radio host and member of Blackshear Baptist Church, Oakwood, GA, gathered thousands of letters on the subject, many of which are excerpted, in the book. Burkett said his book doesn't judge whether women should quit working outside the home -- it is aimed at preparing those who want to make the step. In his research, Burkett made a surprising discovery: It's easier for a couple with an income of less than $25,000 to make it than those making over $40,000. The reason: Those with lesser incomes can adjust easier.

"With those who still made over $40,000 (after the wife quit working), they had been making around $60,000 and adjusted to that lifestyle -- homes, cars, and so on,' he said. "You can't just cut back one thing. You have to cut back on a lot of things. It requires a lot of sacrifice, such as shopping flea markets, cooking all the food and making some of the kids' clothes. If you're not committed to that lifestyle, it won't work."

           If women had their choice, it appears there would be a massive change in society: If they had enough money to live comfortably, only 15 percent would work full time. That finding was part of a survey of working women by Louis Harris and Associates last spring. Another 33 percent would choose to work part time, 31 percent would stay at home to care for their families, and 20 percent would choose volunteer work. Most mothers and families want more time with their children. [BP]