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to ABCnews.com, "Census figures show that 54 percent of mothers with a graduate or professional degree no longer work full time". Why is that? Because women with college degrees who choose to stay home aren't wasting their brains, they are teaching their children. Who better to teach them than the well-educated mother?

The third argument against women staying home is that they become a financial drain on the family. Many argue that in today's struggling financial situation, a family cannot make it without a two-person income. However, if you look at the figures in detail, you will realize that in many instances, it actually costs money to work everyday when you have children. According to an article on About.com, "Should Both Parents Work?", there are several costs that factor into your actual net income. These costs not only include taxes you pay out, but also the cost of child care, commuting to work, the price of lunch and "convenience food", the cost of clothing appropriate for the workforce, as well as additional costs such as dry cleaning and paying someone to clean your house. Based on a $30,000 salary, About.com claims that you are actually netting $1.75/hour. Beyond this, there are many other frugal ways to save money that SAHMs are known for: cutting coupons, shopping at several different stores to catch all the sales, buying store brand, etc. Add in the innovative ways many SAHMs are supplementing income with stay-at-home jobs, and it is quite evident that SAHMs are probably saving the family money rather than being a financial burden.

Hopefully the next time you hear someone claim staying home with the children as their full-time job, you don't immediately adopt one of these stereotypes. The problem is that in our culture, oftentimes a job is not just what pays the grocery bill. It has become what defines us for other people. It is what gives us a sense of purpose in life. If this is true, if your job is going to define you, then let my job be a stay-at-home mom. I don't mind my children being my purpose in life. Maybe now you will respect my decision.

Learn more about this author, Jessica Setzer.
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