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* '''Parodied''': ???

to:

* '''Parodied''': ???Alice starts working just four hours a week, while the kids are at school. The formerly well-adjusted kids develop such extreme mommy issues, they snap and show signs of being budding serial killers.
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* '''Exploited''': ???

to:

* '''Exploited''': ???Bob, a manipulative abuser, uses Alice's internal conflict and concern for the child to pressure her into giving up work. This keeps her dependent on him, allowing him to show his true colours and treat both her and the kid like crap.
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** Claire has to work much harder than her male peers for anything close to the same pay and recognition, which leaves no time to care for children.
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** Claire decides against having children simply because she personally doesn't want to, whether she doesn't think she's cut out for it or she's just not naturally a maternal person. She's still kind, empathetic and selfless in other ways, such as being considerate towards co-workers who deal with this dilemma, and helping them balance the two (eg. covering for them if their kids get sick).

to:

** Claire decides against having children simply because she personally doesn't want to, whether she doesn't think she's cut out for it or she's just not naturally a maternal person. She's Others may call her selfish, but she's still kind, empathetic and selfless in other ways, such as being considerate towards co-workers who deal with this dilemma, and helping them balance the two (eg. covering for them if their kids get sick).
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** Claire decides against having children simply because she personally doesn't want to, whether she doesn't think she's cut out for it or she's just not naturally a maternal person. She's still kind, empathetic and selfless in other ways, such as being considerate towards co-workers who deal with this dilemma, and helping them balance the two.

to:

** Claire decides against having children simply because she personally doesn't want to, whether she doesn't think she's cut out for it or she's just not naturally a maternal person. She's still kind, empathetic and selfless in other ways, such as being considerate towards co-workers who deal with this dilemma, and helping them balance the two.two (eg. covering for them if their kids get sick).

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** Alice (or Claire) has a chronic illness and doesn't have the energy levels for both work and motherhood.



* '''Discussed''': ???
* '''Conversed''': ???

to:

* '''Discussed''': ???
"It's tough for women to find good jobs. Employers seem to think that if we have kids, we'll inevitably quit for some reason."
* '''Conversed''': ???"As a working mom, I end up feeling guilty whenever I see characters like Alice and Claire."
* '''Implied''': Alice is a stay-at-home mom, and there's a picture on the wall of her when she was younger, with a suit and briefcase.
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** Only certain jobs, rather than all jobs, are deemed unsuitable for mothers (and fathers for that matter).

Added: 952

Changed: 260

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** Claire thinks [[RealWomenDontWearDresses it's ideal for a woman to have a successful career and as little as possible to do with children]].



* '''Enforced''': The producer thinks that the target audience values family over work and/or traditional gender roles, so the writers [[ExecutiveMeddling are ordered to]] create a situation where Alice was to choose her family over her career, in order to please the audience.

to:

* '''Enforced''': '''Enforced''':
**
The producer thinks that the target audience values family over work and/or traditional gender roles, so the writers [[ExecutiveMeddling are ordered to]] create a situation where Alice was to choose her family over her career, in order to please the audience. audience.
** The producer thinks that if Claire's a mother as well as a businesswoman, audiences will view her as incompetent at both roles, or "trying to have it all".


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** Claire reads an article in [[HighPoweredCareerWoman ''Modern Career Woman'']] magazine, and worries that she'll be unable to balance career and family, and/or that she'll be [[RealWomenDontWearDresses taken less seriously at work]] and risk losing her job.


Added DiffLines:

** Whenever Claire visits her brother Dave, who's a businessman and a father, she bitterly envies his lifestyle and opportunities.

Added: 1850

Changed: 407

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* '''Straight''': Alice becomes pregnant, and decides not to return to work after the baby is born.

to:

* '''Straight''': '''Straight''':
**
Alice becomes pregnant, and decides not to return to work after the baby is born.born.
** Claire, a successful businesswoman, decides she can never have kids if she wants to keep her job.



** Claire decides she can't even [[ManVersusCareer get married]] or visit her parents if she wants to maintain her career.



** Claire feels she can only have a child if she starts up an online business and works from home.



* '''Inverted''': Alice hasn't worked outside of the home in a long time (or perhaps ever), and decides that in order to provide a better life for her family, she is going to get some job training or go BackToSchool, or at least find a new job.
* '''Gender Inverted''': Bob decides to quit his job to become a [[HouseHusband stay-at-home dad.]]

to:

** Claire simply doesn't want to have kids for personal reasons.
* '''Inverted''': '''Inverted''':
**
Alice hasn't worked outside of the home in a long time (or perhaps ever), and decides that in order to provide a better life for her family, she is going to get some job training or go BackToSchool, or at least find a new job.job.
** Claire finds it fulfilling to be a good provider and role model for her children.

* '''Gender Inverted''': Inverted''':
**
Bob decides to quit his job to become a [[HouseHusband stay-at-home dad.]]]]
** Dave, a successful businessman, decides he can never be a father if he wants to keep his job.


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** Claire has a child and manages to figure out a suitable work-life balance.


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** Claire still [[TheWorkaholic lapses into overworking]] at the expense of her child.


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** Claire has a child while remaining a businesswoman.


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** Claire decides that if her male colleagues can still be good fathers, there's nothing stopping her from being a good mother.


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** Claire ''wants'' children, and becomes resentful towards her male colleagues who get to have both families and careers, while she has to choose between the two. This negatively affects her work performance and her interactions with co-workers.


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** Claire decides against having children simply because she personally doesn't want to, whether she doesn't think she's cut out for it or she's just not naturally a maternal person. She's still kind, empathetic and selfless in other ways, such as being considerate towards co-workers who deal with this dilemma, and helping them balance the two.

Added: 848

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* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.

to:

** Alice quitting work leaves her financially dependent on Bob. This proves to be a problem if their relationship becomes unhealthy - if he cheats, or abuses her, she's stuck with him. As well as Alice being miserable, the kids grow up in an utterly toxic environment, and internalise harmful ideas about relationships which they go on to repeat later in life.
* '''Reconstructed''': '''Reconstructed''':
**
Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.
** Bob already has a well-paying job, which allows him to have a reasonable work-life balance and remain involved in the children's lives.
** Alice has a support network she can turn to if her marriage goes sour. She trains her skills on a regular basis and has a strong CV in case she needs to return to work for any reason. She and Bob also make time whenever they can to keep their relationship alive and healthy.

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* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?

to:

* '''Deconstructed''': '''Deconstructed''':
**
This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?
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** Alice's job involves a lot of travelling, and she doesn't want to be away from her children for months or even years on end.


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** Alice decides to stay at home because she thinks it's better for the children, but this means Bob has to work twice as hard to make ends meet. The children [[WhenYouComingHomeDad rarely if ever get to see their father]], and [[SelfFulfillingProphecy develop the abandonment issues Alice tried to prevent]]. Then there's the issue of what happens if Bob's health goes to shit from his long hours and loneliness, leaving him unable to work, and Alice struggles to get a job because she hasn't had one in years.
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needs citation


** Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home [[TooManyBabies pumping out kids]] because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]

to:

** Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home [[TooManyBabies pumping out kids]] because [[UnfortunateImplications because "that's what she's supposed to do."]]"
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* '''Zig Zagged''': ???

to:

* '''Zig Zagged''': ???Alice keeps getting and quitting jobs constantly because of her children, she can't decide if she wants to be pursue a career or be a housewife and isn't sure if it's better for the children if she's around.



* '''Enforced''': ???

to:

* '''Enforced''': ???The producer thinks that the target audience values family over work and/or traditional gender roles, so the writers [[ExecutiveMeddling are ordered to]] create a situation where Alice was to choose her family over her career, in order to please the audience.
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** Just when Alice thought she and Bob were finished having children, and that since her youngest is ready to go to kindergarten, she'd be able to start job-hunting again, [[SuprisePregnancy Alice finds out she's pregnant again]].

to:

** Just when Alice thought she and Bob were finished having children, and that since her youngest is ready to go to kindergarten, she'd be able to start job-hunting again, [[SuprisePregnancy [[SurprisePregnancy Alice finds out she's pregnant again]].
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** Just when Alice thought she and Bob were finished having children, and that since her youngest is ready to go to kindergarten, she'd be able to start job-hunting again, [[SuprisePregnancy Alice finds out she's pregnant again]].
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Added DiffLines:

** Alice plans to go back into the workforce after her youngest child is back in school.


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** Part-time, that is.
** Alice has been focused on her family and no longer has the skills relevant to her career field, so she either has to find something else or decides she'll just not work outside the home anymore.
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** Alice works from home or telecommutes.
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** Bob loses his job, or he and Alice get a ToiletSeatDivorce; can Alice manage to keep the household afloat?

to:

** Bob loses his job, or dies, or he and Alice get a ToiletSeatDivorce; can Alice manage to keep the household afloat?
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Added DiffLines:

** Alice left even before the BabiesEverAfter came along.
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** Alice's kids go to college and leave the house, and now Alice has all this free time...and doesn't know what to do with it, or she feels like she's lost meaning in her life.

to:

** [[EmptyNest Alice's kids go to college and leave the house, and now Alice has all this free time...and doesn't know what to do with it, or she feels like she's lost meaning in her life.]]

Added: 57

Changed: 54

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minor indentation fix


* '''Subverted''': Alice returns to work after her maternity leave is up.

to:

* '''Subverted''': '''Subverted''':
**
Alice returns to work after her maternity leave is up.
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** Alice is not so much a {{Housewife}} as a TrophyWife.

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Changed: 3266

Removed: 84

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Added standarized \'Playing With Wiki\' template


* '''Basic Trope''': [[AlwaysFemale A woman]] must choose between going to work, or staying home to taking care of the house and kids.
* '''Played Straight''': Alice becomes pregnant, and decides not to return to work after the baby is born.
* '''Exaggerated''': Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home [[TooManyBabies pumping out kids]] because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]

to:

* '''Basic Trope''': [[AlwaysFemale A woman]] must choose between going to work, or staying home to taking care of the house and kids.
* '''Played Straight''': '''Straight''': Alice becomes pregnant, and decides not to return to work after the baby is born.
* '''Exaggerated''': '''Exaggerated''':
**
Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home [[TooManyBabies pumping out kids]] because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]



* '''Downplayed''': Alice goes back to work, but she cuts her hours so she has more time to be with her child.

to:

* '''Downplayed''': '''Downplayed''':
**
Alice goes back to work, but she cuts her hours so she has more time to be with her child.



* '''Justified''': Alice wants to spend time with her children, and finds childcare and housework fulfilling to her personally. Furthermore, the household can survive on one income.

to:

* '''Justified''': '''Justified''':
**
Alice wants to spend time with her children, and finds childcare and housework fulfilling to her personally. Furthermore, the household can survive on one income.



* '''Double Subverted''': But then finds that her job isn't as fulfilling as taking care of her kid.

to:

* '''Double Subverted''': Subverted''':
**
But then finds that her job isn't as fulfilling as taking care of her kid.



** See "downplayed"
* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?
* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.
* '''Parodied''':
* '''Lampshaded''':
* '''Averted''': Alice goes back to work after she has her child.

to:

* '''Parodied''': ???
* '''Zig Zagged''': ???
* '''Averted''':
** See "downplayed"
* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?
* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.
* '''Parodied''':
* '''Lampshaded''':
* '''Averted''':
Alice goes back to work after she has her child.



* '''Enforced''':
* '''Invoked''': Alice has kids, and lives in a society where working moms are almost unheard of.

to:

* '''Enforced''':
'''Enforced''': ???
* '''Invoked''': '''Lampshaded''': ???
* '''Invoked''':
**
Alice has kids, and lives in a society where working moms are almost unheard of.



* '''Defied''': Alice feels that the household won't survive on just Bob's income, and that she should go back to work.

to:

* '''Defied''': '''Exploited''': ???
* '''Defied''':
**
Alice feels that the household won't survive on just Bob's income, and that she should go back to work.



* '''Discussed''':
* '''Conversed''':
* '''Played For Laughs''': Alice has no career and no hobbies, but at least she finds time to do things like [[TheSimpsons scrub the driveway!]]
* '''Played For Drama''': Alice's kids go to college and leave the house, and now Alice has all this free time...and doesn't know what to do with it, or she feels like she's lost meaning in her life.
** Bob loses his job, or he and Alice get a ToiletSeatDivorce; can Alice manage to keep the household afloat?

to:

* '''Discussed''':
'''Discussed''': ???
* '''Conversed''':
'''Conversed''': ???
* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?
* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.
* '''Played For Laughs''': Alice has no career and no hobbies, but at least she finds time to do things like [[TheSimpsons [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons scrub the driveway!]]
* '''Played For Drama''': Drama''':
**
Alice's kids go to college and leave the house, and now Alice has all this free time...and doesn't know what to do with it, or she feels like she's lost meaning in her life.
** Bob loses his job, or he and Alice get a ToiletSeatDivorce; can Alice manage to keep the household afloat?afloat?
----
Back to FamilyVersusCareer
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%% Optional items, added after Conversed, at your discretion:
%%
%%* '''Implied''': ???
%%* '''Plotted A Good Waste''': ???
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* '''Exaggerated''': Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home pumping out kids because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]

to:

* '''Exaggerated''': Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home [[TooManyBabies pumping out kids kids]] because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]
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None


* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, that may be more difficult.
* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family.

to:

** See "downplayed"
* '''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, [[PotteryBarnPoor that may be more difficult.
difficult]]. And what if Bob gets laid off or fired, or something happens to him? There may also be a BrainDrain in the workforce, if nearly half its potential employees leave. Also, not ''every'' woman finds being a {{Housewife}} appealing, or is suited for the role. And what happens when "the nest" is empty; if Alice has based her ''entire'' identity around being a wife and mother, what happens when the kids leave...or Bob leaves?
* '''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family. Alice takes classes (online, by correspondence, or by actually going to a local community college) to keep her skills sharp. She develops hobbies and friendships to keep occupied when she isn't doing housework, and gets involved in her community.
*'''Parodied''':
*'''Lampshaded''':
*'''Averted''': Alice goes back to work after she has her child.
** Alice has no kids.
*'''Enforced''':
*'''Invoked''': Alice has kids, and lives in a society where working moms are almost unheard of.
** Alice reads an article in [[MyBelovedSmother ''Fretful Mother'']] magazine, and worries that her child's developmental milestones or psyche or overall well-being will suffer if she isn't there 24/7.
*'''Defied''': Alice feels that the household won't survive on just Bob's income, and that she should go back to work.
** Alice knows that she still loves her child, and will make the most of the time she ''does'' spend with her family, and that her child will have a wonderful and trustworthy caretaker during the day, be it a nanny or a daycare center or a relative or a neighbor.
*'''Discussed''':
*'''Conversed''':
*'''Played For Laughs''': Alice has no career and no hobbies, but at least she finds time to do things like [[TheSimpsons scrub the driveway!]]
*'''Played For Drama''': Alice's kids go to college and leave the house, and now Alice has all this free time...and doesn't know what to do with it, or she feels like she's lost meaning in her life.
** Bob loses his job, or he and Alice get a ToiletSeatDivorce; can Alice manage to keep the household afloat?
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Added DiffLines:

*'''Basic Trope''': [[AlwaysFemale A woman]] must choose between going to work, or staying home to taking care of the house and kids.
*'''Played Straight''': Alice becomes pregnant, and decides not to return to work after the baby is born.
*'''Exaggerated''': Alice's family can't even ''survive'' on just Bob's salary, and yet Alice stays home pumping out kids because [[UnfortunateImplications "that's what she's supposed to do."]]
** While she was working, Alice easily made two or three times what Bob made, and her job was very prestigious.
*'''Downplayed''': Alice goes back to work, but she cuts her hours so she has more time to be with her child.
** Alice asks if she can telecommute instead of actually going to the office.
*'''Justified''': Alice wants to spend time with her children, and finds childcare and housework fulfilling to her personally. Furthermore, the household can survive on one income.
** In this society, married women usually don't work, instead relying on their husbands to provide for them.
*'''Inverted''': Alice hasn't worked outside of the home in a long time (or perhaps ever), and decides that in order to provide a better life for her family, she is going to get some job training or go BackToSchool, or at least find a new job.
*'''Gender Inverted''': Bob decides to quit his job to become a [[HouseHusband stay-at-home dad.]]
*'''Subverted''': Alice returns to work after her maternity leave is up.
*'''Double Subverted''': But then finds that her job isn't as fulfilling as taking care of her kid.
** Or her job has been given to someone else, and they won't give her job back.
** Alice's job is something "feminine," such as teaching or nursing.
** Just before the leave period is up, Alice changes her mind.
*'''Deconstructed''': This works best if the household can survive on just Bob's income. If the story is set in more modern times, with a very high cost of living and raising children, that may be more difficult.
*'''Reconstructed''': Whether Alice chooses to stay home with the kids or to go back into the workforce is her decision and hers alone. She does what she feels is best for her family.

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