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-   -   What is an unmarried housewife called? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=740627)

  • Mar 23, 2013, 12:51 PM
    DaniCalifornia
    What is an unmarried housewife called?
    Hello folks!

    It's been on my mind all day. Housemadam? Housemistress? Housefiancee?

    I'm essentially asking what is the name of the woman of the house, who is unemployed, looks after the children, and does all housework and shopping. And don't say Mother haha!

    x Dani
  • Mar 23, 2013, 01:08 PM
    Wondergirl
    There is no official title for her. (It's a fairly new role.) How about homemaker/mother?
  • Mar 23, 2013, 01:14 PM
    Curlyben
    Skivvy or dogsbody ;)
  • Mar 23, 2013, 01:15 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Curlyben View Post
    Skivvy or dogsbody ;)

    Isn't skivvy another name for underpants?

    ***ADDED from the Free Online Dictionary -- "Chiefly Brit often contemptuous a servant, esp a female, who does menial work of all kinds; drudge." Hmmm, that doesn't sound good or uplifting.
  • Mar 24, 2013, 08:26 AM
    JudyKayTee
    How about live in servant?
  • Mar 24, 2013, 08:59 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    How about live in servant?

    Now that you say that, Ben may not be so far off the mark. I always wonder why "that piece of paper" isn't considered important. It certain confers all sorts of legal rights to and status on the woman.
  • Mar 24, 2013, 09:20 AM
    JudyKayTee
    [I have a dear friend who doesn't believe in marriage - worked part time, raised "his" children for a few years, maintained the house, did all the things a wife does without the title.

    Her husband died shortly after mine.

    She was left with absolutely nothing - and that means absolutely nothing.

    Do I understand that people either don't believe in marriage or don't want the commitment or something ele? S
    Your. I think a break up is difficult and the issues are this side of impossible whether the people are or are not married.

    When there's a death the woman is left with absolutely nothing.

    I never understand why a person who loves another person doesn't at least attempt to legally protect the other person in the event of a catastrophe.

    I also saw unmarried couples in the hospital where suddenly his or her children were the next of kin, denying the long-time partner access, making decisions without the partner, in two cases planning funerals and excluding the partner.

    I want the legal protection of that piece of paper.
  • Mar 24, 2013, 09:25 AM
    excon
    Hello D:

    She's my Old Lady. Didja notice that I capitalized old lady?

    excon
  • Mar 24, 2013, 09:29 AM
    JudyKayTee
    Capitalizing Old Lady is certainly a sign of respect.

    What does she call you - if you can print it here.
  • Mar 24, 2013, 11:09 AM
    Masqueraderuse
    She is called your partner. I don't see why you have to label her as something beneath you.
  • Mar 25, 2013, 07:18 AM
    DaniCalifornia
    Masqueraderuse, This hypothetical woman couldn't put "Partner" on their CV.

    Homemaker! I think that's the word that's been bugging me.
  • Mar 25, 2013, 07:42 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DaniCalifornia View Post
    Homemaker! I think that's the word that's been bugging me.

    Do I get a cupcake with sprinkles on it for coming up with the winning word?
  • Mar 25, 2013, 07:43 AM
    excon
    Hello D:

    I agree. Homemaker is chauvinistic. So's housewife.

    I don't think there IS a word that accurately describes the person we're trying to describe.

    excon
  • Mar 25, 2013, 08:27 AM
    JudyKayTee
    I'm working on why there needs to be a name to describe the person -
  • Mar 25, 2013, 08:30 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    I'm working on why there needs to be a name to describe the person -

    During an introduction, "This is my slave/partner/lover, Dani"?

    On employment etc. apps?
  • Mar 25, 2013, 09:43 AM
    JudyKayTee
    Good point - I prefer to be called The Hot Babe With Whom I Live (or whatever).
  • Mar 25, 2013, 09:48 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    Good point - I prefer to be called The Hot Babe With Whom I Live (or whatever).

    What is HE called?
  • Mar 25, 2013, 09:57 AM
    DaniCalifornia
    It happened yesterday in the bath, I imagined my life in 10 years (One of those moments where you go into deep thought about things that may or may not happen) and I ended up wondering what would happen should I end up as one, then wish to go back into employment after. So I panicked about what I'd put on my CV. Then I came back to earth, and was merely curious. Haha!
  • Mar 25, 2013, 10:00 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by DaniCalifornia View Post
    It happened yesterday in the bath, I imagined my life in 10 years (One of those moments where you go into deep thought about things that may or may not happen) and I ended up wondering what would happen should I end up as one, then wish to go back into employment after. So I panicked about what I'd put on my CV. Then I came back to earth, and was merely curious. Haha!

    You can see what an animated discussion you started. :)

    When's the wedding date?
  • Mar 25, 2013, 01:35 PM
    joypulv
    It's tempting to call her a fool. Not you, just the concept. That silly outmoded religion-based legality is what gives you what you deserve should he ditch you or die, or even become seriously disabled and unable to make decisions or communicate them.

    "On the way back from the lottery event where he collected his 300 million dollars, Sam was broadsided by a truck..."
    Cut to the courthouse weeks later, with blood relatives you didn't know existed crawling out of woodwork.
    "That cute babysitter who was 14 last year is budding like crazy, and suggested to him that they run off to Rio.." fill in the rest however you want.

    ETC ETC ETC

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