Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.10 $; site uiucdcs
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!silber
From: silber@uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU
Newsgroups: net.singles
Subject: Re: "Housewife" vs. "Domestic Engin
Message-ID: <26600173@uiucdcs>
Date: Wed, 12-Mar-86 04:41:00 EST
Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.26600173
Posted: Wed Mar 12 04:41:00 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 14-Mar-86 05:53:07 EST
References: <657@hounx.UUCP>
Lines: 23
Nf-ID: #R:hounx.UUCP:657:uiucdcs:26600173:000:979
Nf-From: uiucdcs.CS.UIUC.EDU!silber    Mar 12 03:41:00 1986



>I never liked either term.  My favorite is "Homemaker".  What other
>accurate, yet emotionally neutral terms can others suggest for this
>very important role?
>
>--Barry Kort   ,..ihnp4!hounx!kort

I would argue that "Homemaker" is not "emotionally neutral".  I think that
"domestic engineer" is, which is why, to my mind, it is an inferior term.
I think that what you want is some word which, like "Homemaker" is neuter,
yet has positive conotations.  The word "home" is emotionally loaded, in the
way "domestic" or "house" fail to be.  A homemaker is someone who, in addition
to taking care of the physical plant of the house has the time and sensitivity
to have something yummy on the stove, a childs artwork on the 'fridge.
A homemaker is much more than a live in janatorial and cooking service.
In my mind, "homemaker" is the perfect word.

				Ami Silberman

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me.
 If I am only for myself, then what am I.
 And if not now, when."