More women who are “well educated and trained for career tracks” have opted to stay home, according to a recent CNN article. More than 10 percent of SAHWs who were interviewed in one recent study were also childless. And with the rising cost of gas, food, and other living expenses, stay-at-home wives may be the latest “status symbol,” says Daniel Buccino, a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine clinical social worker and psychotherapist.

But SAHWs are not home eating bon bons all day; many regard homemaking as an important responsibility that frees the husband from ‘honey do’ lists and allows the couple to have more quality time together. They also devote time to volunteer work, and pursue hobbies.

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