Every Woman’s Calling: Why Homemaking Still Matters

Today, the idea of women embracing homemaking is often seen as controversial at best. The “tradwife” aesthetic is viewed by some as a troubling revival of traditional gender roles, yet there is a growing movement toward embracing femininity and traditional gender roles.

Critics often dismiss women who embrace the idea of finding fulfillment as a homemaker as

weak, brainwashed, or even “unhealed” as I once overheard a woman remark in an LA coffee shop. But is this really the case?  

The rise of the boss babe and the death of domestic arts

From a young age, I believed that being a corporate boss babe was preferable to being a homemaker, convinced the two roles could not coexist. As I grew older, I began to see anything related to domestic life as a limitation rather than a calling. I focused on conquering corporate America, without questioning why traditional gender roles had persisted for thousands of years until just a couple of generations before my own.

My experience isn’t unique but instead reflects the culmination of the growth of a sentiment that began generations before. With the rise of neoliberalism and escalating extremism in the feminist movement, both the concept and the term “homemaker” began to lose popularity thanks to Betty Friedan’s 1963 book, The Feminine Mystique. Subsequent generations ran with this notion and the idea took root, escalating to a crescendo of disdain that now finally seems to be on the decline. Today, the rise of the “tradwife” aesthetic and a return to classical femininity and elegance is proof enough that younger women are rejecting this trend and embracing their inherent femininity and with it, the role of homemaker.

As for my own story, over time, I reconnected with my faith and began to heal my relationship with myself and what it means to be a woman, and with this came a growing interest and enjoyment in focusing on my home. I embraced my authentic self and realized that, despite my professional success, I was still searching for purpose and fulfillment. I married a supportive man, and together we navigated life as a dual-career couple.

Many arguments arose over domestic responsibilities, and I often resented any implication that I was better at maintaining our home. We divided household chores, collaborated on interior décor, and scheduled who would cook on which nights. Yet, I often found myself silently (and sometimes not-so-silently) critiquing his efforts, often choosing to redo things myself. Over time, I began to voluntarily take on tasks that weren't assigned to me, and, surprisingly, I started to take pleasure in them. I will never forget one evening when my husband walked in and remarked how wonderful it was to come home to the smell of dinner. His delight thrilled me more than any award I had received at work.

Nature vs. narrative: the reality of women’s nature & design

The simple truth is that the joy I discovered in embracing the domestic sphere came from

aligning with the nature my Creator designed within me. Embracing the role of a homemaker— which isn’t limited to stay-at-home moms— can be incredibly fulfilling for several reasons.

First, it provides a creative outlet; designing and maintaining a home serves as a form of self-expression. It creates a sanctuary that can greatly enhance mental and emotional well-being, offering a space of comfort and safety. This fosters a sense of accomplishment and pride, while strengthening family bonds by creating a welcoming environment. Ultimately, it’s about finding joy and fulfillment in the process.

There is an old saying: “A man can build a house, but it takes a woman to make it a home.” This emphasizes the idea that homemaking is an act of nurturing, creating beauty, and serving as the heartbeat of the home. For thousands of years, women have embraced this role. Before the Industrial Revolution and the rise of extreme feminist narratives, which often criticized women for their love of the home, women took on this vital task of transforming a house into a home.

It’s about more than just the home. Homemaking is more than just keeping a tidy house, cooking well, or mastering domestic skills like crochet. It’s about creating a space infused with warmth and heart. This space should welcome both you and others, inviting everyone to set aside their burdens and enjoy a moment of peace and quiet in an otherwise fast-paced and noisy world.

Ruth McKeaney beautifully captured this sentiment in her book, *Hungry for Home*, where she wrote: “Home is the foundation for a full, abundant life—a place where we share burdens, embrace frailty, and encourage greatness. It is where we mourn with those who mourn and rejoice with those who rejoice. Home is how we welcome others and love authentically. It prioritizes peace, truth, goodness, and hard work over the easy way out. In a world where homemaking is becoming a lost art, we are all still hungry for home. But it is not lost yet; restoration is always possible. Trust me, you will never regret the effort it takes to make your house a home.” (p. 16)

Homemaking is for every woman

As I began to experience small victories and surprising joy along my journey to recognizing and embracing my God-given nature, I realized that my dismissive attitude toward homemaking had not only delayed my development of essential life skills, but had also led me to believe that, as a childless woman with a career, there was no place for me in homemaking. Even after I got married, I unconsciously held onto the belief that making a house a home was significant only if you were both a wife and a mother. For a long time, I was neither; even once I became a wife, it felt like a superficial effort—as if I was playing pretend. Although it was enjoyable, it seemed to lack real meaning or impact.

As I both healed my relationship with my own femininity and gained insight into the societal and family dynamics that shaped my previous views, I began to shed my disdain for traditional gender roles, even finding fulfillment in my domestic efforts. I discovered a newfound delight in balancing my career with the work of managing my home. I realized that having children is not a prerequisite for finding joy in creating a peaceful environment, and in doing so, I was giving a gift to both my husband and to myself. I experienced a quiet peace that was punctuated by the thrill of elation when I heard my husband bragging about a meal I had prepared to a friend. I also found joy in the stillness of the mornings, where I opened my journal and uncovered both inspiration and rest in the gentle embrace of my cozy living room.

I started to take pride in the space I was creating, which boosted my confidence—not just in my homemaking skills, but in life. I began to embrace my femininity and discovered newfound strength, rather than trying to present myself with more masculine energy in an effort to be taken seriously. It felt authentic, natural, and effortless, as if I was finally coming home to myself, joining the ranks of the women who have embraced this purpose for thousands of years.

Welcome home

Let me be clear: this isn’t just about having a house that looks perfect, mastering the latest

cooking trend, giving men a pass on participating in the home, or leaving your career to become a stay-at-home wife (unless that’s where you feel called, in which case, go for it!). It’s about embracing an essential aspect of our nature and finding fulfillment in the unique roles that women are designed to fulfill, and finding joy in it. Embracing the role of homemaker means honoring women's innate desire to create and nurture, applicable at every stage of a woman’s journey. So, consider this your invitation to revisit that Pinterest board with your dream bedroom ideas, try a new recipe, or light a candle just for yourself.

As I approach the end of my thirties, I feel increasingly comfortable in my own skin, in my divine design, and in my home. I hope every woman can experience this sense of peace and

fulfillment. Creating a home is a gift you first give to yourself, and then to your family and the wider world. Welcome home… to yourself.

Melanie lives in Long Beach, CA with her husband.  After nearly 20 years in corporate America, Melanie is on her second career as an associate pastor at Dream City Church.