BA In Mrs?

[Mike Wooldridge]

"(AP) Southern Baptist seminary to offer academic program in homemaking"
By ROSE FRENCH
Associated Press Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn.

The Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary offers coursework in Greek and Hebrew, in archaeology, in the philosophy of religion and _ starting this fall _ in how to cook and sew.

One of the nation's largest Southern Baptist seminaries, the school is introducing a new, women-only academic program in homemaking _ a 23-hour concentration that counts toward a bachelor of arts degree in humanities. The program is aimed at helping establish what Southwestern's president calls biblical family and gender roles.

Coursework will include seven hours of nutrition and meal preparation, seven hours of textile design and "clothing construction," three hours of general homemaking, three hours on "the value of a child," and three hours on the "biblical model for the home and family."

Seminary officials say the main focus of the courses is on hospitality in the home _ teaching women interior design as well as how to sew and cook. Women also study children's spiritual, physical and emotional development.

Yet the program is raising eyebrows among some Southern Baptists, who say a degree concentration in how to be a Christian housewife is not useful, and a waste of seminary resources.

Seminary President Paige Patterson, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has its executive committee headquarters in Nashville, said wives of seminary students asked for the homemaking courses. The program was approved by seminary trustees.

"We are moving against the tide in order to establish family and gender roles as described in God's word for the home and the family," Patterson said at the denomination's annual meeting in June. "If we do not do something to salvage the future of the home, both our denomination and our nation will be destroyed."

Terri Stovall, dean of women's programs at Southwestern, which has its main campus in Fort Worth, Texas, said the purpose of the program is to strengthen families.

"Whether a woman works outside or strictly in the home, her first priority is her family and home," she said. "We just really want to step up and provide some of these skills."

Stovall said the homemaking degree is one of 10 women's programs at the seminary and is "only targeted to women whose heart and calling is the home."

A description of the homemaking program on the seminary's Web site says it "endeavors to prepare women to model the characteristics of the godly woman as outlined in Scripture.

"This is accomplished through instruction in homemaking skills, developing insights intohome and family while continuing to equip women to understand and engage the culture of today."

The Rev. Benjamin Cole, pastor of Parkview Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, and a frequent Southern Baptist critic, wrote about the homemaking program on his blog.

"At first it was almost incredible to me," Cole said. "I thought this is not happening. It's quite superfluous to the mission of theological education in Southern Baptist life. It's insulting I would say to many young women training in vital ministry roles.

"It's yet another example of the ridiculous and silly degree to which some Southern Baptists, Southwestern in particular, are trying to return to what they perceive to be biblical gender roles."

Patterson took a leading role in the 1980s in a successful campaign to oust moderates from leadership posts in the Southern Baptist Convention. While he was president of the convention from 1998 to 2000, Southern Baptists issued a statement that women should not be pastors and that wives should "graciously submit" to their husbands.

In 2003, when Patterson left his post as president of North Carolina's Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary to serve as Southwestern's president, he was asked whether women would teach in the seminary's theology school under his leadership.

"The NewTestament is crystal clear that pastors are to be men," he said.

In March, a former Southwestern professor filed a federal lawsuit against the school and Patterson, alleging she was fired from her tenure-track position because she was a woman.

Professor Sheri Klouda was hired in 2002 and was the only woman to teach at the school of theology. But last spring, school officials informed Klouda that her contract was terminated because she was "a mistake that the trustees needed to fix," the lawsuit states.

Patterson's wife, Dorothy Patterson, is the only woman faculty member now teaching in Southwestern's theology school.

David Key,director of Baptist studies at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, said part of the reason why the seminary may be introducing the new homemaking program is in reaction to the Klouda lawsuit.

"Women continue to make more inroads into traditional male bastions, which could be provoking Patterson to do this," Key said. Patterson is "trying to draw the line in the sand of where women need to be."

Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., also offers programs for women, including a 13-hour certificate of ministry studies. Required courses cover child-rearing, "God's plan for marriage," and managing a budget.

Key said neither seminary will allow women to be pastors, but notes that Southern hasn't "articulated homemaking like Patterson."

"Southern at least appears to realize the realities of modern day life _ that often times husbands and wives must both work outside the home to support the family," Key said.

___

On the Net:

Southwestern Theological Seminary: http://www.swbts.edu/

[Ian Gentles]

Wow roflol!

[Mike Wooldridge]

Wow roflol!
What's interesting (scary) Ian is that this isn't a joke. It's a straight news story from a Nahville, TN TV station Web site. :rolleyes:

[Ian Gentles]

What's interesting (scary) Ian is that this isn't a joke. It's a straight news story from a Nahville, TN TV station Web site. :rolleyes:

I beleive ya!

[Sara Sheppard]

Tell me this was printed in 1952.

HEAVY HEAVY SIGH............................

Sara

[Sara Sheppard]

I do have one question. Who is teaching these classes? Women or men? If they are women, I assume they are WELL EDUCATED women to be teaching at the college level. That frightens me even more.

Seriously..........there are no words. I can't wait for Anita Henck to read this. ;)


Sara

[Ian Gentles]

Its pure insulting madness for 2007

[Ryan Scott]

Do their students receive any federal grants or loans to attend, because I'm guessing the Federal Government might have some issues with a "women's only" class.

[Mike Wooldridge]

Do their students receive any federal grants or loans to attend, because I'm guessing the Federal Government might have some issues with a "women's only" class.

I don't know, Ryan. It's a seminary vs. a university, so I don't know if government money would be involved.

[Ian Gentles]

Hope not, much of this seems stuff girls learn at their moms side!

[Marsha Gupton]

It really ISN'T a degree in MRS. It sounds similar to me as a degree in Home Economics. A lot of colleges discontinued a Home Ec. degree but its more than baking cookies. Home Economics Majors can work as dieticians, teachers, Interior Designers, etc. I actually had a lot of classes in subjects that were part of a major in Home Economics. I will admit that we did not concentrate on gender-specific roles. This may be an attempt at keeping the family unit in tack. I'm not sure.

If I could have any job I wanted it would be an event planner, a wedding planner or work in the hotel industry in the catering and special events office.

[Ian Gentles]

Why should any woman trust a man toataly? OK i am a beleiver in good christian marriages, but seen some christian girls adrift with no idea what to do!

[Mike Wooldridge]

I do have one question. Who is teaching these classes? Women or men? If they are women, I assume they are WELL EDUCATED women to be teaching at the college level. That frightens me even more.

Seriously..........there are no words. I can't wait for Anita Henck to read this. ;)


Sara
Sara, since according to the article there is only one female instructor at the seminary, I assume at least some of the courses are tauht by men. Here's the link for the degree. http://college.swbts.edu/academics/degree.cfm?id=18
It looks like the homemaking courses are one of the concentrations offered within the degree plan

[Mike Wooldridge]

It really ISN'T a degree in MRS. It sounds similar to me as a degree in Home Economics. A lot of colleges discontinued a Home Ec. degree but its more than baking cookies. Home Economics Majors can work as dieticians, teachers, Interior Designers, etc. I actually had a lot of classes in subjects that were part of a major in Home Economics. I will admit that we did not concentrate on gender-specific roles. This may be an attempt at keeping the family unit in tack. I'm not sure.

If I could have any job I wanted it would be an event planner, a wedding planner or work in the hotel industry in the catering and special events office.


"We are moving against the tide in order to establish family and gender roles as described in God's word for the home and the family," Patterson said at the denomination's annual meeting in June.
Marsha, it sounds like beyond the coursework, the underlying idea is to define what some Southrn Baptist leaders see as the "proper" role of women in families and society.

[Dana Grant]

It saddens me that our country has belittled the job of child-rearing to the point that many women are ashamed to admit that they are stay-at-home mothers, when this should be the most highly regarded and respected position for a woman to hold.

I'm ::::::::::sighing:::::::::::::: with you, Sara, but probably for a different reason.

I probably won't win any popularity votes with my views on two-parent incomes. I believe that ONE parent should stay at home to raise the children and manage the household, and I believe that teenagers, most of all, need a parent at home.

And before I get blasted, yes, I know there are situations where two parents MUST work, or in the case of a single parent, of course they must work. However, I also believe that there are MANY, MANY two-parent income families who could survive quite comfortably on one income instead.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the classes they are offering. I mean, if a young wife wishes to improve her skills in those areas while raising her family, these home economics classes would be beneficial to her and her family. I don't see a problem with it. I do NOT agree with the Southern Baptist views on women's roles in the church as far as teachers and pastors, etc. However, I do think that women AND men need to take a very hard and serious look at how they are living their lives and running their homes and families and WHO will be raising their children.

[Ian Gentles]

My wife isw a maths accademic, gave it up to be a mom. Amyone want her now? No!

[Glenda Harvey]

It saddens me that our country has belittled the job of child-rearing to the point that many women are ashamed to admit that they are stay-at-home mothers, when this should be the most highly regarded and respected position for a woman to hold.

I'm ::::::::::sighing:::::::::::::: with you, Sara, but probably for a different reason.

I probably won't win any popularity votes with my views on two-parent incomes. I believe that ONE parent should stay at home to raise the children and manage the household, and I believe that teenagers, most of all, need a parent at home.

And before I get blasted, yes, I know there are situations where two parents MUST work, or in the case of a single parent, of course they must work. However, I also believe that there are MANY, MANY two-parent income families who could survive quite comfortably on one income instead.

Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the classes they are offering. I mean, if a young wife wishes to improve her skills in those areas while raising her family, these home economics classes would be beneficial to her and her family. I don't see a problem with it. I do NOT agree with the Southern Baptist views on women's roles in the church as far as teachers and pastors, etc. However, I do think that women AND men need to take a very hard and serious look at how they are living their lives and running their homes and families and WHO will be raising their children.

I agree that there is nothing wrong with the classes themselves, or with women who are able to, to make the choice to stay home. I agree that it is best if one parent can stay home but I notice that you did not make it a gender thing.

The problem is that the College in question seems to be promoting that staying home and being a perfect wife and mother is the only option that a Christian Woman should have.

[LoraineStanton]

Mike said "it sounds like... the underlying idea is to define what some Southrn Baptist leaders see as the "proper" role of women in families and society. "
I have a problem with that underlying idea. The woman only thing also bugs me, but classes in home management might have saved me (and my mom) some huge headaches!

[Ian Gentles]

Most ministry folks i know require wife needs to work

[Glenda Harvey]

Mike said "it sounds like... the underlying idea is to define what some Southrn Baptist leaders see as the "proper" role of women in families and society. "
I have a problem with that underlying idea. The woman only thing also bugs me, but classes in home management might have saved me (and my mom) some huge headaches!

I'm sure my husband wishes I had taken some courses in home management. It's not my strong suit. Yesterday I had to hunt for the vaccuum cleaner, I couldn't remember where I had put it.

[Gina Stevenson]

Man, oh man! Talk about stirring the (proverbial) pot! However, I do agree that Dana has said it rather well, from what I've read up to this point, which is why my name is under her post as a "Thanks." ;)

While I certainly do not agree with all the SBC's stands re "a woman's place" ... "gender roles" ... etc, I have met enough women who seem lost in handling things that are so daily in keeping up a home ... or in seeing to it that their family is not just fed, but fed nutritionally well ... and we can just pray that it's some of these who've no clue [maybe because---sometimes---they have come from a home where mom was absent a lot with her own career, and was not around enough to show them the working out of things they grew to just take for granted because mom did them when necessary?] as to how to keep a household together ... running at least halfway smoothly ......

Hey, we're not just "born with" this innate knowledge of how to do things! Perhaps one thing in which they may be right is how passing useful nutritional and other household habits has slipped by the wayside too often. Note the statistics we've all heard re how many times people just grab fast food today, rather than fixing something at home ... how many eat the processed foods (TV dinners, etc) ... many of whom would not know how to cook if they had to! There's someone---who's even an older adult---who brings a bit of food by now & then, thinking she's "helping" my mom out. She doesn't eat it ... I've smelled/tasted it and don't touch it, either. I wonder how her family of 4 kids survived on it for years, even! Ick! The dogs sometimes like it. ;) Sad, but true.

NO! I'm not suggesting we go back to the "woman must remain subservient in her little apron, playing Holly Housewife all day and night." And just one more thing ... this is a seminary, right? Well, often it's the pastor's wife who likes to have people in from their congregation to be hospitable (it's fun, actually, if you don't have to do it everyday :)). What would happen if the pastor's wife's cooking would always turn out like this gal who brings by this (honestly) non-edible food ... so, nothing wrong with giving those who need it a headstart in feeling confident in the kitchen, etc.

Oh, I'm sorry. I did say just one more thing above, didn't I? Well, there must be a second one, since kids are no less important than food. They mentioned there would be some course(s) re rearing children, too. Well, just because someone is in seminary/marrying a seminary student/etc, this doesn't mean that they've come from a home where child-rearing was done in such a way that they received sufficient knowledge to do this OK, too. This, too, might help here.

Again, I do not agree with going back to any "dark ages" view of "a woman's role." But---and here we go again towards the nutritional end (since we are what we eat ;))---with the epidemic of obesity we see throughout the land, it would not hurt at all to emphasize such things in these courses. Congregants often tend to look to their pastor's family for "guidance." If the pastor's wife is well versed in the nutritional realm, who knows but what she might influence many more families towards being healthy than merely her own little nuclear family (or, shall we say "nucular" family, thinking of George W suddenly :cool:).

If it's "not about me/us," then if it's about others ... evangelizing others ... helping others ... then can we not do it much better from a healthy temple, than one that's too run down and tired to get out there and "just do it!" Speaking to myself, too ... as I'm still working on having succumbed to eating things I shouldn't while depressed, tho' I know well how to be healthy.

[LoraineStanton]

Glenda said "Yesterday I had to hunt for the vaccuum cleaner, I couldn't remember where I had put it."

Vacuum cleanner? What's a vacuum cleaner?:fav03
:fav05 Oh! Wait! Is it that thingy I hang my jacket on???

[Cindi Hammons]

You know, my first thought was one of disgust...and then it became, "So What!?" Seriously, so what? I am not Baptist, never will be...because of theological issues and their stand on women's issues. I also thought, how cool is this to offer these types of classes to seminary students who may not get married? Then I read that men were excluded from the class. Hmmmm. No so cool after all. You know, I really don't care what a Baptist seminary is offering to their students. The students make the choices on what classes to take...I don't do that for them, so really, why should I care?

It is interesting that they are teaching women about budgeting since most conservatives (I.E. Larry Burkette et al.) believe that the man should be in charge of finances in the home.

My part of this conversation would be very different if the school were one of the Nazarene universities or NTS.

Marriage is a partnership...on all levels...yes, even being able to find the vacuum cleaner. :)

[Mike Wooldridge]

Well said, Gina! :fav18

[Mike Wooldridge]

It saddens me that our country has belittled the job of child-rearing to the point that many women are ashamed to admit that they are stay-at-home mothers, when this should be the most highly regarded and respected position for a woman to hold.

Agreed, Dana.

[Gina Stevenson]

Marriage is a partnership...on all levels...yes, even being able to find the vacuum cleaner. :)

Yes, Danny "found it" as frequently as did I. He didn't mind helping out at all. ;)

[Jim Franklin]

But too many girls do not learn homemaking, childcare, nutirional meal preparation or hosting at their mom's side. I live with one.

[Barbara Moulton]

When I was in The Salvation Army College, there was an unspoken acknowledgement that the role of the married woman minister would play out differently in real life then the role of the married male minister. Of course, the rule at that time (only changed in the last few years) was that ordained men could only be married to ordained women and vice versa. So there had to attention paid to the balancing of roles.

I was blessed. They affirmed that my role as a mom was just as important as my role as a minister. Payment to the ministers from the church came in the form of two equal cheques. Husbands and wives were free to divide up the home/church responsiblities as they wished. But the wives were also expected to participate in the ministry of the church. I could have used a course on how to write a sermon, care for two toddlers, cook dinner and field phone calls at the same time. :)

We were free to adjust our responsiblities throughout the seasons of our children's lives. And you know what? When given the pure choice...with money, security and my own call to ministry being unaffected by that choice...I chose to assume most of the home responsibiilty.

I am an egalitarian. I believe that all roles in the churches should be available to men and women. I believe in shared headship in the family.

But I also recognize that women and men are different and that women are often better suited to running the home. And most marriages reflect this. This doesn't mean that the man is superior. Just different.

In fact, I would defy any man to do what I do better than I do it. In addition to being a wife and mother (and I know my daughters are young adults now but that doesn't mean I don't have a role to play) I work as a hospital chaplain. I work as an admin. assistant for MADD. I am worship leader and church bookeeper. This Sunday I am preaching to 1500 people at a community church service. I love doing all these things. But I take great joy in making sure my house is tidy and clean and welcoming as well. I'd like to see a man multi task as well :)

So, courses that would help women at the many jobs that running a home entails...that's great. If you are more capable you will have less stress. If you have less stress then your home will be happier. No matter if you choose to work outside your home or not...women will find life easier if they have the skills to keep a home in order.

But of course, the thing that would keep me from enrolling in the course, is that it also plans to instruct women on what a Biblical family looks like. To me, a Biblical family is one which is following God's direction. That has nothing to do with whether the woman is skilled at clothing construction or not :)

[Barbara Moulton]

But too many girls do not learn homemaking, childcare, nutirional meal preparation or hosting at their mom's side. I live with one.

Boys need to learn these things too.

When my girls were little and I had to be out for an evening it was up to dad to feed them. Nutrition shouldn't take a night off just because mom isn't at home.

[Sara Sheppard]

It saddens me that our country has belittled the job of child-rearing to the point that many women are ashamed to admit that they are stay-at-home mothers, when this should be the most highly regarded and respected position for a woman to hold..

Dana...I wouldn't disagree with you there at all. In fact, if I have (very doubtful) children, it would be my first choice to stay at home if possible. However, I live in SOUTHERN BAPTIST MECCA (NASHVILLE) and based on what I know from around here, these are not just "how too" classes but a form of indoctrination that says that it is biblical for a woman to stay home and keep her mouth shut.



Personally, I don't see anything wrong with the classes they are offering. I mean, if a young wife wishes to improve her skills in those areas while raising her family, these home economics classes would be beneficial to her and her family. I don't see a problem with it. I do NOT agree with the Southern Baptist views on women's roles in the church as far as teachers and pastors, etc. However, I do think that women AND men need to take a very hard and serious look at how they are living their lives and running their homes and families and WHO will be raising their children.

My problem is with the concept that this is what the women do while their men (let's face it this is a seminary - the men are taking religion classes while their wives or wives to be are taking these) are learning their proper place. If I believed for one second that the focus of these classes was on great parenting and marriage skills (with marriage viewed as a partnership), I wouldn't be against them. I bring a lot of "perspective/preconcieved notions" to my reading of the article based upon our location here in town. I would be WAY more excited if these parenting/marriage enrichment classes were coed. (Meaning, the men are learning these skills too).

Sara

[Gina Stevenson]

Yes, Sara. One thing I guess I overlooked while browsing through the article rapidly was that they were to be "women only." Definitely men need to know some things re keeping a household intact. ;) I agree they should be coed.

[Cindi Hammons]

Barbara,

A "thank you" would not say enough.

Brava! Brava!

Well said.

[Laurie Florence]

This doesn't mean that the man is superior. Just different.


I'm sorry ..... I've just got to say it ......

VIVA LA DIFFERENCE!!!!!

:bannana

[Brian Hammons]

The idea that these classes are offered to the exclusion of men and to reaffirm(?) gender roles really irritates me. I'm 47 and have been married a total of 10 years in that time. So I have been a bachelor for most of my adult life. If I was concerned about gender roles, I would have starved, would never have any clean underwear (if any at all!), and I could go on. Even now that I'm married, the kitchen is mine!!! "Honey, is there anything I can do to help?" My response is "Go sit down & relax" (translated, "yeah, stay out of my way.") The biggest disagreements Joyce & I have is over how to do the laundry. Gender roles ? Not a chance!

[Barbara Moulton]

The idea that these classes are offered to the exclusion of men and to reaffirm(?) gender roles really irritates me. I'm 47 and have been married a total of 10 years in that time. So I have been a bachelor for most of my adult life. If I was concerned about gender roles, I would have starved, would never have any clean underwear (if any at all!), and I could go on. Even now that I'm married, the kitchen is mine!!! "Honey, is there anything I can do to help?" My response is "Go sit down & relax" (translated, "yeah, stay out of my way.") The biggest disagreements Joyce & I have is over how to do the laundry. Gender roles ? Not a chance!

I don't like the term "gender roles". I think "gender preferences" more aptly describes what I have observed over the years. Men and women seem to naturally gravitate towards different things.

Maybe equality means that we each need to do an equal share of things we like and don't like.

But you are right. Not every man is a complete klutz in the kitchen and not every woman is in love with Betty Crocker.

One of the most liberated, career minded women I know said she was surprised at what happened after she got married. She still had the drive for her work outside but was startled that she suddenly became very interested in what kind of curtains to hang in the kitchen.

"In what part of my DNA was that hiding?" she laughed.

It didn't change what she was doing with her job. She just found this unexpected part of her that wanted to make her home pretty and inviting.

But I agree...there is no real reason why the classes couldn't be offered to both men and women...unless you are deliberately fostering rigidly defined roles.

[Charles W Christian]

Sadly, this is part of the trend at SWBTS and at other Southern Baptist seminaries since the "Fundamentalist Takeover", which began in the late 1970s, but only hit the seminaries of the Southern Baptist Convention in the mid to late 1980s. Patterson, who is new as president of SWBTS, was at Southeastern in N. Carolina for awhile. I must say that when I attended Southwestern (early 90s), they were still avoiding this Fundamentalist disaster. They, in fact, were the last "holdout," but since the SBC owns the seminaries, they eventually gave way. Consequently, virtually EVERY professor I had at Southwestern has been fired, has taken early retirement, or moved on to non-Fundamentalist schools. Some of the profs at SWBTS during my time there were women (something not allowed in the school of theology there under Patterson), and most of the male profs did not have the "issue" with women in ministry that is prevalent now at Southwestern.

In response, Southern Baptist "moderates" (i.e., non-Fundamentalists) have started their own seminaries, like Truett Seminary at Baylor University (Baylor dropped its official affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention after the "takeover").

Anyway, Dr.Patterson's wife (also "Dr. Patterson) heads up this whole thing. She is the director of "women's studies" at the seminary, and you can bet that "women's studies" as she and Paige Patterson envision it is NOT like any women's studies program you've ever seen in a university setting, etc.!

Sigh....

Charles
:eek::basic02

[Ian Gentles]

I like the idea of guys knowing how to cook etc

[Greg Farra]

Men and women need to learn this stuff. It seems that a lot of people used to learn some of this in the military. Every guy I ever knew that spent time in uniform could cook, sew and clean.:basic05

[Ann Smith]

Warren was attending Southern Seminary in Louisville when the Fundimental folk took over. Southern was a very good Seminary. Had an excellent program with a Religion/Social Work degree in connection with the University of Louisville. It took them a few years to completely take over the Seminary. The Church History Department was totally changed. That was Warren's major. The Religion/Social Work program was demolished. All women faculty were fired. The man who replaced the President at that time did not have a higher degree. He only had a BA. Our friends, who live there and he is an alumnus of the school say it is a disgrace the way they have devestated one of the best seminaries in the nation.

When we were there, one of the retired professors told a group of us that Page Patterson wanted the presidency of the seminary in New Orleans and was passed over. It made him so mad that he pushed this take over.

It's not about bible standards, it's power.
Ann

[Cindi Hammons]

Brian,

You are a great cook...but did you have to mention your underwear?

[Glenn Harris]

Ok, that does it. I'm not joining the Southern Baptist Conference.

I'm only being partially tongue in cheek here. It's a long known fact that the Southern Baptist Convention has taken an archaic doctrinal view of women. They also believe in the absolute innerrency of the bible which would explain their position on women.

Do I agree with them? NO!

I'm I likely to change my view because of anything they do? NO!

At least, in the SBC, if a woman disagrees with the doctrinal position she has the option to walk away from it without fear of being beheaded.

[Mike Wooldridge]

Brian,

You are a great cook...but did you have to mention your underwear?
TMI!!! :eek:

[Gina Stevenson]

TMI!!! :eek:

Do I google, or just ask, "What's TMI?" :fav03

[Brian Hammons]

TMI!!! :eek:

No, BVDs.:p

[Mike Wooldridge]

Do I google, or just ask, "What's TMI?" :fav03
Too
Much
Information!

[Linda Schroller]

I am of two minds here:

IF the courses are offered in the sense of positively elevating work that has been considered "women's work" to equal status with "men's work" I am all for it. (For example, I consider being a homemaker, knowing what a vacuum is, what it is for, and how to use it a GOOD thing. I consider maintaining a clean, comfortable, well functioning home, rearing kids and grandkids to love and serve the Lord as being equally as important as pastoring a church. Nothing ticks me off quicker than those women who roll eyes and croon "of course I cannot cook I have more important things to do" while their hungry kids find one more way mom doesn't consider them important.)

If, however, it is a continuation of the misogyny so rampant in SBC life where I live, I am "agin it."