Why have stay-at-home mothers and home-based child-rearing been so consistently undervalued? Distinguished American social commentator and family activist Dr Allan Carlson finds some unexpected answers in history and economics.Contemporary issues surrounding family life, gender roles and child-care usually generate controversy. Accordingly, it is important to remember that the “collision” between home and work – in its origins at least – was not the result of ideological conflict.Prior to the br…