I think it's more of a problem this side of the Pond, though it's certainly common enough in the States. Economics means it's likely to remain a hypothetical question for the foreseeable future, but I can't count how many times she's lamented how she made some off hand comment about the desirability of being a domestic mom and the women around her looked at her like she'd sprouted a third eye. That's not to say there shouldn't be a professional dimension as well, or that she doesn't desire it, but it seems almost a given that we'd both prefer a balance: Even were it possible for one of us to work full time while the other stayed home keeping house and raising kids, we'd both prefer to work part time and share domestic joys and duties. That would be a lot less monolithic, enrich both our lives more, and is the long term goal; now it's just a matter of getting there....