women, wrk, education and driving.

I think it depends.
Speaking from experience, I've seen a lot of girls who attended an islamic boardiing establishment for a number of years, and upon graduating they rush to attend mixed colleges, almost as though their education isn't 'complete'. SubhanAllah.
Nothing wrong with college in my opinion if the Deen isn't being compromised..but the second stage is that after studying (or not, depending on the person) they get married..and end up at home. What exactly is the point of wasting all those years in college if they know they'll embrace motherhood to the fullest and not benefit from it?
I have nothing against higher education if it's being used to help the Ummah-we need female Muslim doctors, nurses, teachers etc etc- and if it doesn't compromise a person's moral values, modesty and Deen. In that case, it's commendble and should be actively encouraged.

format_quote Originally Posted by Amat Allah

if there is no need for work then family comes first and home would be the right place for woman,I meant if that woman can find what to feed and put in the mouths of her children then staying home is better for her than having a job and leaving her house and children with no care but if there is none to bring them their needs then nobody can blame her for striving to feed her self and children and she might need to drive at that situation...home is better for woman if there is no need to go out...

slam
do you honestly stay at home for the rest of your life? i mean you dont at all visit a shops, hospital, schools, banks? no? I think a environment without some women working whether they are single mothers or unmarried or married would be hell for you. Be realistic at least, i admit that you need some women to work in order for you to benefit the world you live in. most sisters would suffer if women were to stop working. i unlike you dont like to stuck indoors at all.
Staying indoors would oppress me and has oppressed when I was married. Not all sisters are like you, happy and content to stay at home. I didn’t see any benefits staying at home when I was married. It was hell.

format_quote Originally Posted by S_87

actually she can be stopped-if a husband says no to these things then a woman must obey. And yes he has that right. of course he should have a reason and there are reasons why a man may not want this.

This exactly why non Muslim thinks Islam is oppressive. I don’t understand why marriage can’t be a partnership where both partners come to a decision. Not one dictating to other. and what reasons would a man stop his wife from becoming a doctor or working as one for example? His ego...

Thanks for the replies. Interesting perspectives.

format_quote Originally Posted by Aisha

I think it depends.
Speaking from experience, I've seen a lot of girls who attended an islamic boardiing establishment for a number of years, and upon graduating they rush to attend mixed colleges, almost as though their education isn't 'complete'. SubhanAllah.
Nothing wrong with college in my opinion if the Deen isn't being compromised..but the second stage is that after studying (or not, depending on the person) they get married..and end up at home. What exactly is the point of wasting all those years in college if they know they'll embrace motherhood to the fullest and not benefit from it?
I have nothing against higher education if it's being used to help the Ummah-we need female Muslim doctors, nurses, teachers etc etc- and if it doesn't compromise a person's moral values, modesty and Deen. In that case, it's commendble and should be actively encouraged.

I see your point; however the more educated the mother, the more educated the child will be. There is a lot more to gain from higher education that the subject itself. Thanks for reply. I do definitely understand where u r comin from.

format_quote Originally Posted by Amoeba

Women should if they want to. If not it shouldn't be forced upon them unless there's no other option such as in times of hardship. I hate the mentality that some women have who scoff at other women who choose to be at home with the family.

As far as women being encouraged to stay at home and do domestic work... that is the ideal, but individual circumstances need to be considered.

I think mental health plays a part too. Consider a woman who, perhaps, yet doesn't have many family responsibilities. Being stuck in the house all day is downright depressing when you're pretty much alone, such as in the case of reverts who don't have a supportive family around them, whose mothers, sisters, fathers and brothers are absent or broken up and don't really see each other (and are maybe non-muslim so not quite so understanding). Maybe don't even live together. The home is a fairly empty place for such a woman leaving her open to subtle attacks that could make her depressed.

In latitudes closer to the poles s.a.d. syndrome is also a problem. There are three main remedies for this: a special type of light (that doesn't always help), keeping occupied at all times, and getting outside a LOT. So in such latitudes getting work outside the home may even be a therapy to some women.

Then there are some women who just don't have the personality type to remain at home, where being indoors all the time would just be too stressful. As I hate when working women scoff at home-working women, I also can't stand home-working women who scold women for having a job and getting outside. Some women are just very active and need to be out and about, even out working, to keep their mind sharp. Many such women have just as much usefulness as working men do or as home-working women, such as those who pursue a career that can turn out to be helpful to society. If a women has a personality and a mind for that kind of thing, such as as one person used as an example, being a GP or a doctor, or physical activities such as being a wilderness/mountain rescuer (some women really do need to be kept physically active and get outside) it shouldn't go to waste. It would be a terrible shame.

That's my honest feelings and opinions on the matter.

Salm

U summed up how I feel on this topic. Im the same as u as I dnt like sisters who looked down on those who work and those who work that look down upon housewives. I think people need to accept that women just like men are all different. Not all women get married and have children and stay at home and either are all women want to work.

format_quote Originally Posted by τhε ṿαlε'ṡ lïlÿ

I don't have much to contribute to this topic however, I am rather amused or should say impressed by your sudden grammatical aptitude on this thread

I don’t write like dat bcos of my poor understanding of English. I write like lyk dat bcos I am or was simply lazy. As you can see my few last post addressing the replies b4 u, I have written in proper English. Excuse my laziness and sorry dat it bothered u so much.

format_quote Originally Posted by Amat Allah

if there is no need for work then family comes first and home would be the right place for woman,I meant if that woman can find what to feed and put in the mouths of her children then staying home is better for her than having a job and leaving her house and children with no care but if there is none to bring them their needs then nobody can blame her for striving to feed her self and children and she might need to drive at that situation...home is better for woman if there is no need to go out...

I disagree. A woman has a life too. But, if it's affecting the rights of the husband or children then yes, family comes first. However, if the children are over seven, then I don't see any reason for the mother to be there 24/7 especially if the younger kids have older bros and sisters there.

Is it considered a need if she prefers to work and not sit home doing the same daily things forever?

format_quote Originally Posted by Aisha

I think it depends.
Speaking from experience, I've seen a lot of girls who attended an islamic boardiing establishment for a number of years, and upon graduating they rush to attend mixed colleges, almost as though their education isn't 'complete'. SubhanAllah.
Nothing wrong with college in my opinion if the Deen isn't being compromised..but the second stage is that after studying (or not, depending on the person) they get married..and end up at home. What exactly is the point of wasting all those years in college if they know they'll embrace motherhood to the fullest and not benefit from it?
I have nothing against higher education if it's being used to help the Ummah-we need female Muslim doctors, nurses, teachers etc etc- and if it doesn't compromise a person's moral values, modesty and Deen. In that case, it's commendble and should be actively encouraged.

This would mean that the people who choose college, should work and not let their skills and knowledge go to waste.

Many people here have mentioned working with where there is a need to. It works vice versa. What is the need to stay home if there's no need to (she stays with the children until they're old enough, the working hours are suitable and the work place is halal)?

Only my personal opinion. Let's say there's a female teacher. Would it be better for her to spend the day watching soap operas and hanging on the net or teach children and benefit from her knowledge?