:salam2:
Sister Pearll...
Thats a very serious question. Not just for Muslims, for every husband/wife, partners in world, its a very serious question.
Prophet
said, among signs of dooms day, is that:
Tariq ibn Shihab said, "We were sitting with 'Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud, when a man came and told us that the time for prayer had come. So we got up and went to the mosque. After the prayer, a man came to 'Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud and said, 'As-salam 'alayka (Peace be upon you), O Abu 'Abd al-Rahman'. 'Abd Allah answered, 'Allah and His Messenger have spoken the truth'. When we went back, we asked one another, 'Did you hear the answer he gave? Who is going to ask him about it? I said, 'I will ask him'; so I asked him when he came out. He narrated from the Prophet (sallallahu alayhe wa sallam): 'Before the Hour comes, there will be a special greeting for the people of distinction; trade will become so widespread that a woman will help her husband in business; family ties will be cut; the giving of false witness will be common, while truthful witness will be rare; and writing will be widespread." (Ahmad.)
Now, trade defines most of our relationship/lifetimes, is it not? Central to this is the question 'The role of partners in family'. If family and or life is important for partners, then they both let career take a back seat. Similarly when Aakhira is important, the partners will let dunya take a back seat.
So, there are these "high flying" women, who have quit job voluntarily, and preferred the lead from home role. They are content with it, they defend it fiercely. There also are women, who have got bored and taken a job. A recent survey in UK found that, Most Women with partners (ie married/ stay together relationships) who work, are stressed much. No not because the men harass, nor because men are lazy, but because women tend to with time, take more responsibility in house matters. They do it because they want the lead at home role. Thats an eye opener research I read recently! I guess, women find it satisfying, to align to whats natural to them!
(I can get the links, but would have to search for it.)
So, these are the many ground realities.. Waiting for more, from the other sisters/brothers here...