In early modern Europe, women were able to vote in guilds if their husbands died because they were considered co-owners of the business and treated as second-in-command by the apprentices, etc. In rural Oklahoma and other Western states, women were granted the vote early because women were essential to a family's survival on the frontier. In many ancient cultures, marriage was seen as an economic arrangement in which children could be securely raised and women brought something to the table. However, not all women want to be married or have children.

Back in Europe before the Protestant Reformation, many women (and men) who didn't want to get married found a home in the church. While many nuns found joy in the spiritual life, others spent time in educated or productive activities.

Some women love being home-makers today and find nothing so satisfying as helping their husbands and raising children.

There is nothing wrong with any model, what is wrong is forcing people into roles that they don't freely choose and for which they are not suited.