The 'Good Old Days' and the Unpaid Labor of Women

Most of what we consider 'The Good Old Days' of the American Church relied heavily on the unpaid labor of women.

The American Church was able to get away with it for as long as it did because women had so few options for vocations and financial independence.

Even though most families with children now need at least two incomes to cover basic living expenses, churches frequently bemoan how families aren't as involved and parents don't volunteer as much as in the days when a single income could support a family with children.

The branches of the White American Church which frequently seem to be most 'thriving' in family participation are often those which shame women for working outside the home, and/ or for having interests and hobbies outside their families and church groups.

Meanwhile, 50 years after U.S. women won basic financial civil rights, even moderate mainline churches are often still reticent to pay women church professionals equally to their male counterparts--as pastors or otherwise. Many congregations still feel that a woman pastor is not a 'real' pastor and should not be hired for a full-time role unless a male candidate is not available.