The thing is, depending on the power dynamics in your family, she might or might not lose a lot by not having a job. If she's a homemaker, you have the ability

The thing is, depending on the power dynamics in your family, she might or might not lose a lot by not having a job. If she's a homemaker, you have the ability, if not the desire, to hold all of the purse strings and possibly, in effect, monopolize all of the power to make decisions for the family - where to live, what to buy, where and when to travel.... If she works, even only earning $12k, her position in the family (when you're a controlling husband) is greatly strengthened. To be clear, I'm sure YOUR actual relationship with your specific wife is much more egalitarian, so being a homemaker probably works well for her.