Five Roles Women Should Learn to Play Well

Imagine what our grandmothers and great grandmothers would think about the myriad roles women play today. Generations ago, a wife and mother’s place was in the family home, preparing meals for her hard-working husband and gaggle of school children. The “June Cleaver” stereotype reigned supreme throughout America, with few women venturing outside the home to enter the work force. In those days, a man’s salary often covered a family’s bills and expenses, with money to spare at month’s end.

Now, between the high cost of living and shrinking wages in the face of our current economic recession, a family today is lucky if two full-time salaries even cover expenses, let alone allow for any financial security or savings. Thanks to changing times and family needs, modern women should learn to play these five roles with competency and ease:

Homemaker and childcare expert

Sure, the concept of the full-time “stay-at-home” mom may be endangered, but the fact remains that it’s often the mother who bears the bulk of childcare responsibility in today’s family.

Professional

With more women than men graduating from college, it’s no surprise that women are becoming the breadwinners in more families nationally. Modern women should know how to play the role of savvy business professional, no matter her trade or industry.

Father

It may sound surprising, but with more single-parent families, the role of “father” often falls on the mother as well. Especially for young boys, it’s important that they see their mother successfully tackle both traditional roles – whether it’s shopping around for new car prices, making lunch or going camping.

Handyman

Thanks to the rise in the national average of single mothers, it’s crucial that women today become proficient handymen. With no man in the house to fix that leaking faucet or change that flat tire, women need to step up to these tasks and teach children that women can do anything.

Seductress

At the end of the day, no matter if a women is single or happily married, it’s important that she never lose sight of the power that lies within her own femininity. Even after a woman has put the kids to sleep, conquered the corporate ladder, learned to throw a baseball and change the oil in the car, it’s imperative to her own sense of self that she also dress up and own her feminine side on occasion. For single women, a nice dinner out with friends (complete with a little flirting with the people at the bar) may be the key to self-confidence and escape from daily stressors. For women in relationships, keeping the flame burning is paramount to longevity and lasting love. Even when life gets busy and completely cluttered with obligations, responsibilities, children and families, the role of seductress and flirt will always help a woman remember how to keep life fun and exciting.

Certainly, there are many other roles beyond this list that modern women must learn and perform today. And sure, sometimes working and single mothers wish for the days when their biggest worry was what to serve for dinner.