You may be right, anxiousgran, and I was certainly glad that I had a good career when I wanted to divorce my husband.
My son-in-law is indeed an exceptional man. My daughter had a well paid job in England, but since they emigrated to New Zealand she does not go out to work, but she does keep pigs and chickens and grows almost all their fruit and veg. His salary as a ship's captain is enough to support them in some comfort and he loves having her at home - he works week on, week off, so they are able to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle together when he is home - the whole family loves walking, cycling, kayaking and camping.
Two of their six children are still at home, at 15 and 14, and of course they love coming home to find her there, usually cooking. She feels that it is just as important for them now as it was when they were younger.
She spends a lot of her time schooling and riding her horse and also volunteers at Riding for the Disabled, as do the two children.
She has been offered a job in New Zealand similar to the one she had in England, in Drug and Alcohol Services, and possibly when the last child has left home she may consider returning to work, although she will then be in her mid fifties.
Her three girls have been brought up to believe that a woman should be able to support herself because no matter how good a relationship you think you have, tragedy in the form of death , illness or unemployment can strike any family.