aquila_black

Paid work is recognized by society at large as something valuable, in sharp contrast to, say, making food or raising kids. So being able to do jobs that defined men as worthwhile and important was probably validating, in the short term. What really isn't, though, is going from being discoraged from getting paid work ... to being unable to support a family without a second income. That actually sets women back, because they're still disproportionately expected to keep the relationships / home life / etc. in working order. They're just looked down upon, now, if they don't also make money.