Cornfed wrote:There are a lot of related questions that could be asked. Should females be formally educated? Should females be allowed to have paid employments? What should be done with stray females? And so on.
Both Biblically, and as a practical matter, there is nothing wrong with letting a woman develop and use her talents. But ultimately she herself belongs to you.
So yes it's your decision if she "works". But bear in mind that women have a huge, genetic need to keep busy. So letting her do paid "work" (outside the home) may be looked at, in some cases, as a way to burn off energy that would otherwise go into nagging, eating, charity work, etc.
Generally a woman should make clear to her employer that home comes first. This will cost her advancment, she will tend to plateau in a skill position rather than management. This is GOOD. She will have more freedom to structure her day with family in mind.
My Dad had a top-notch secretary who used to get nervous when her husband had a day off. Her husband felt she should be there when he was. My Dad had to let her go home so she could honor her husband.
One lady that works for me now and then made a point of introducing her husband to me. He is "in the picture." No hanky-panky can be imagined. When I see him I treat him like an equal, kind of as if he runs the show, and I am hiring the services of his wife as a temp. It's about respect.
I don't see a problem with formal education, in a home-school environment. Or a trade school that's all-girls. Sure wouldn't ever send a daughter "off to college".