I've been doing some thinking:

I know how you (we) all feel about women working, going to college etc. However...

With the paucity of decent young men, even some that call themselves trads, in terms of both having the gumption to support a family or the tendency to divorce (both in society in general and trad men surprisingly), I was thinking it might be prudent to consider some sort of job training, vocational training to junior college occupational program(s) for a daughter as she approaches the age of adulthood (homeschooled or not) in the event she is faced with a divorce and has to support children

1-What do you think of this?

2-What would suitable careers be that are both stable, doable via vocational/junior college occupational programs, and lucrative enough to support children.

I've seen too many mid to late 20's women end up 'holding the bag' with 3-4 kids and a former husband that's run off for some reason for another.

We cannot assume every man out there is necessarily of the same quality we'd want to raise our daughters.

And *yes* I know a lot of this is a result of poor spouse selection.

Girls' training should be primarily in Home Economics (besides of course, solid Catholic upbringing), ideally they should develop the entrepreneurial spirit and are prepared to own businesses they can do from home with such learned skills. For the ones who have no choice but working outside of home, careers where they can use and develop their God-given feminine virtues would work best. Example: nurses, teachers, nannies, secretaries, even dress makers!

Recently, AMDGJMG posted an article about this from her blog: http://whoshallfindavaliantwoman.blogspot.com/

HOW A LADY SHOULD ACT WHEN A PLACED IN A SITUATION WHERE SHE MUST BE INDEPENDENT

 I received a number of comments on my last article from women who wanted to know what they should do if they were made independent from the help and support of family and relatives -by no choice of their own.

 We must keep in mind that there are exceptions to almost every rule and guideline. A concession is given to women whom God, in the perfect knowledge of what is best for their particular soul, puts in unnatural circuмstances.

 A few examples of such situations are:

-1- An unmarried girl who has no family or relatives, or those she has are so evil that being around them constantly causes her to sin grievously…

-2- A married woman’s husband dies and she has no one else to turn to for support…

-3- A poor family cannot survive only on the income of just the father, so the mother also takes a job…


Living Alone

 In the rare circuмstance that a woman has absolutely no family, relatives, or anyone she can depend on; she has then been put in a position where she no longer has the choice to be dependent as most other women do.

 Since this was not done by her free will, the conclusion follows that she would not held responsible for being in such a situation; as would others who try to make themselves independent without a good reason. And if she struggles her best to trust in God, remain faithful to Him, and avoid all unnecessary evils; He will surely give her the necessary graces to make ends meet and protect her from the dangers in the world.

 Yet, even still, she ought not to be totally independent, if this is possible. She should try to find a trustworthy confessor to guide her and have solid friends around her to keep her from shutting out good advice and shifting over to the opinions of the world, the flesh and the devil.

 If an unmarried girl or woman is left without family, she should try to find an honest and reliable family member who can help guide and support her. There are many families out there who would be more than grateful to give someone room and board, and take them into their family in exchange for a little help. It is most important; however, to be sure that the family is trustworthy – or living with them may also become a danger to her soul.

 Sometimes the husband of a woman dies, and she has many children in her care, with no family to help her or means to support them. In such a case, perhaps she should consider praying to God and asking Him whether He may wish for her to remarry.

 If none of the foresaid examples are possible for a particular married or unmarried girl or woman, she should try to find another girl or woman to live with who is, ideally, of the same Faith and is morally sound.

 In the case even this last resort is also no possible, and a woman has tried her best to find a solid foundation of help from others; she ought to pray, fight as best she can, and humbly leave everything else in God’s Hands. For, nothing can happen to us without God’s consent, and He will never allow us to be tested beyond our strength when we humbly trust in Him.


 Working in the World

 For women who have no choice but to find a job in the world, here are some things to consider.

 1- She should apply only for jobs which will not endanger her virtue (ie avoid working at bars or places where immoral people are often likely to be).

 2- Preferably, her job should be one befitting of a woman, such as being a clerk, seamstress, nursing, etc. (rather than jobs like joining the army, carrying heavy equipment etc.)

 -3- She should avoid working in situations where there are mostly men - this can even be a job as a secretary in a company that is usually men - engineers, etc.

 -4- And if possible, she should try and find a job where a trustworthy friend or family member already works, so that she can have backup and support against the dangers and enticements of world.


 Perfect Obedience

 In the rare case that a woman’s parents, husband, or superior tell her to do something which is against the commandments of God; she is no longer bound to listen to them. In fact, she is obliged not to, and must say, as did Saint Joan of Arc, “God first served”. Yet, in all other cases, she ought not only be obedient but do everything that she thinks might be wished of her.


 Final Conclusion

 If women find themselves, without a choice, bound to live, work or act independently from the advice, council and support of others; they should do their part to remain in His grace and avoid, as much as possible, all near occasions of sin. Then God will certainly give them the necessary graces to persevere in His grace, and protect them Himself from the many dangers of the world.

Cantarella said

"Girls' training should be primarily in Home Economics (besides of course, solid Catholic upbringing), ideally they should develop the entrepreneurial spirit and are prepared to own businesses they can do from home with such learned skills. For the ones who have no choice but working outside of home, careers where they can use and develop their God-given feminine virtues would work best. Example: nurses, teachers, nannies, secretaries, even dress makers! "

Yes, but this also should include knowledge on how to manage finances. Training in Accounting addresses this and also brings the added benefit of learning how to run a small business.  A woman could then run her own small business (which would keep her away from most of the problems in working with men) and allow her to help her husband run his small business if she ever got married.

I agree. Financial management should be a priority, also. Either single or married, a woman will need that in order to run her household and make the best for her home with the income her husband brings (in case she is married), instead of wasting it in frivolities or never having enough to even cover the needs of the body. A woman should learn how to wisely budget whatever income, high or moderate, that husband (or herself, for the single one) is able to bring and live well within her limits.

While it's preferable to own your own business, most women - and men for that matter, simply do not have the wherewithal, and if the now ex-wife and mother made no prior preparations, she and her children will certainly find themselves in a world of hurt.

I assume that her sudden need would probably not afford her the luxury of spending anything - including time for schooling to learn a career. Assuming she has no skilled trade experience at all, she would probably be forced to find almost any income pretty quick.

She should seek a job with 'on the job' training at a job she could actually make a living at, then after a few months or perhaps a bit longer, she could look into becoming an independent contractor and do that work from home full time, or after learning the new skill, quit the job that trained her and use that experience at a new job for more money and maybe better hours, conditions etc.

At any rate, her goal would be to learn a job that eventually she might be able to do from home, either salaried or contracted. There wouldn't be worries about finances other than to stash away 40% or so for taxes and savings.


 



     

 

I think the health sciences are important for a girl, if she is inclined that way, because whether or not she finds herself in the predicament described, she would benefit from knowing natural remedies, thus avoiding the risks of modern medicine in raising a family, or in becoming a consultant.

In the latter case she would need to be trained in managing a business, which would also benefit her in homemaking.

She should seek a job with 'on the job' training at a job she could actually make a living at, then after a few months or perhaps a bit longer, she could look into becoming an independent contractor and do that work from home full time, or after learning the new skill, quit the job that trained her and use that experience at a new job for more money and maybe better hours, conditions etc.

Are there any jobs like this anymore?  

I have a family member who works from home processing medical claims but she had to have a degree related to health management to get the job.  It is basically data entry work but they only hire those with degrees.

Quote from: Stubborn

She should seek a job with 'on the job' training at a job she could actually make a living at, then after a few months or perhaps a bit longer, she could look into becoming an independent contractor and do that work from home full time, or after learning the new skill, quit the job that trained her and use that experience at a new job for more money and maybe better hours, conditions etc.

Are there any jobs like this anymore?  

I have a family member who works from home processing medical claims but she had to have a degree related to health management to get the job.  It is basically data entry work but they only hire those with degrees.

Certainly, there are a lot of jobs like this out there. I worked for a guy whose wife did some type of insurance billing from home, she used to work at an office doing that and found a company that let her work from home -she had no special schooling or no degree or anything and said she made $40,000 a year working from home full time. Although I think she actually went to the office once every other month or so, but so what.

Some things one can easily learn in less than 6 months on the job that they could do from home, but they need to find a company that lets them might be dispatcher, recruiter, various sales positions, simple accounting, lots of CSR jobs - I'm sure there are plenty of others that pay a living wage or better from home that can be learned on the job.

Now maybe none of these apply to General Motors or IBM or working for some other giant company, but there are a lot of small business out there who operate with off site help, some of those are the ones to seek out.

Here are some that the Most Reverend Father Lasance mentions in his book, The Catholic Girl's Guide:   ...stenographer, a dressmaker or a postmistress.


I know a couple ladies who work on horse farms, and others who are seamstresses.

One lady I know takes orders for companies while at home.  (You can train and do this all from your house as long as you have internet), another lady I know used to make Porcelain Dolls.

Some others I know do secretary work, and help at Catholic Books stores or work with landscaping.


There are LOTS of opinions out there, but in order to find the one someone is best at and will be most happy at; they ought to pray and then trust everything in God's Hands.