What are stay-at-home-moms really worth?

June 7, 2007

 There was an article on MSNBC (which I can’t find it anymore) that points out that stay-at-home-moms should be paid $138,095 a year for all the work they do at home.

 This started a heated discussion on the subject from both sides on MSNBC itself and also on other blogs.

 There are strong arguments from both sides.

 One side argues that the value staying at home moms have is worth $0. Not to say that it doesn’t have any value, but in dollar amounts, it is simply $0. Raising our kids is a responsibility, not a job. The same way that we shouldn’t be paid like fashion models if we wake up every morning and put our clothes on, we shouldn’t be attributing a dollar value to stay at home moms. There are also working moms that not only have jobs, but also raise their kids all by themselves and were offended by this article.

 Then the other side argues back saying that if what they do at home have no dollar value, why do they bother getting life insurances? Also that they contribute to society by raising their kids properly instead of allowing a stranger to do it.

 Some moms, or even dads, don’t stay at home by choice. They stay home simply because they can’t afford these expensive baby sitters or simply because they just don’t trust strangers to do it. Should stay-at-home-parents have a different value whether they are forced to do it?

 Whether by choice or not, I do think there’s value with the work stay-at-home-parents do. I don’t necessarly agree with the $138k figure though. That number, such as that article, was mainly to point out that stay-at-home-parents are underappreciated and they do deserve consideration. It’s impossible to really quantify this value.

 My wife is currently going to school, but when she graduates, she will work. Personally, I think it is important for anyone’s sanity to have a job. They exercise their intellects, they socialize, they have a chance to live outside the bubble that is to live just to raise their kids. Watercooler talks, office gossips, small talks, your co worker bugging you. They might all drive you insane at work, but they contribute to your sanity at home. It makes your home a place you want to go after a tiring day at work.

 I do love my kids, but I think I would go crazy if the only thing I had to do was change their diapers, feed them, clothe them and play with them. I need intellectual challenges and I can only get that in my job. However, after my first kid was born, I started changing my habits and started coming home earlier to spend a bit more time with them.

 Life is all about balancing things. Some are luckier because they have more options to balance, while others have little or even no options.  

 So what are stay-at-home-moms really worth? I don’t know how to quantify that, but I do know that it’s a lot. And what are working moms worth? Another fortune.

 Which one is more valuable? That depends on each one’s financial condition, luck in life, personality, values, etc.

*Image provided by istockphoto.com

Posted in Family, Finances