[Vocabulary] Housewife

[beachboy]

Can a single woman who lives only with 2 nephews and doesn't have a job be called a housewife?

 

[emsr2d2]

I suppose so. I find that "housewife" is becoming less and less common all the time. Some people call themselves a "stay-at-home mum/dad" and I guess this lady might call herself a "stay-at-home aunt". In all these circumstances, I think you should find out how the lady refers to herself before choosing a label for her.

 

[beachboy]

I suppose so. I find that "housewife" is becoming less and less common all the time. Some people call themselves a "stay-at-home mum/dad" and I guess this lady might call herself a "stay-at-home aunt". In all these circumstances, I think you should find out how the lady refers to herself before choosing a label for her.

Actually, this lady doesn't exist. I mean, I've just created the situation in order to find out the right word to refer to women like her.

 

[jutfrank]

I don't think it's a very accurate or useful description if she's not a wife. The word traditionally describes a married woman, whose husband is the breadwinner. I don't think many people in the UK, including her herself, would call her a 'housewife'.

 

[jutfrank]

Actually, this lady doesn't exist. I mean, I've just created the situation in order to find out the right word to refer to women like her.

What exactly are you you trying to achieve by referring to her? What do you mean by 'women like her'? Why does it matter that she's female? Do you want to refer to her occupation? If so, then she's unemployed.

 

[Raymott]

Another term becoming popular is "homemaker".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homemaking

 

[beachboy]

What exactly are you you trying to achieve by referring to her? What do you mean by 'women like her'? Why does it matter that she's female? Do you want to refer to her occupation? If so, then she's unemployed.

In case I try to explain the meaning to, let's say, my nephew, and he comes up with the question. By "Women like her" I mean "women who are not married and don't work outside the house".

 

[jutfrank]

In case I try to explain the meaning to, let's say, my nephew, and he comes up with the question.

Sorry, I don't understand. What meaning? What question?

 

[beachboy]

Sorry, I don't understand. What meaning? What question?

- Uncle Beachboy, what does "housewife" mean? Does the word necessarily refer to married women?
- Good question, Ed. I'll ask somebody.

 

[emsr2d2]

Uncle Beachboy, what does "housewife" mean?
Well, it's a rather outdated term for a married woman who doesn't have a job outside the home. Lots of women don't refer to refer to themselves using that word any more.