I think that the belief that both parents *have* to work stems from economic conditions. The fact that one parent working a regular job really doesn't support a family combined with the idea that more things are *necessities* (iPods, cellphones, highspeed internet, cable, etc) means that if families are going to conform to the image of middle class life, the really do need two working parents. It is sad and one of the primary reasons that both R and I are heading toward careers in education - so we can be home when our kids home.