Interesting thought process. No, SAHMs did NOT go out with the 70's. I was a SAHM, still at home. I was first married at 22, had two kids, divorced when I was 32. Went to work ft as soon as the kids were old enough to be at home alone after school, worked pt until then. Remarried at 42, had a third child at 44. I stopped working when I had her. Now, 29 yrs later, I'm in the middle of a nasty divorce. My dh didn't want me to work, said he liked having me home and that if I worked, even pt, it would get in the way of my visits to dd (in the past 5 yrs or so). I am now 70. For my 70th birthday, I found divorce papers, two months ago. He has been cheating and lying for over two years. My earning potential is not good. I could work at Target, but that isn't going to support me. So, he's going to have to dig in and do the right thing. He promised to support me when he walked out. He told our dd the same thing. Now, he is trying to get away with doing nothing. I will be getting some of his ss payments, as well as his pension, once we find it. He has been hiding money for several years. Because we live in a no-fault state, none of this makes any difference. He gets to what he wants to do, and I'm left holding the bag, with nothing.
We were in the process of downsizing...wish that had happened. But, although he wants to get rid of the house, and have me pay for it, that won't happen. It will be sold, as soon as we can come to some kind of settlement agreement. At 70, I'm not sure I should be expected to work. He didn't want me working when we were married. At my age, this is very complicated. Your way of thinking is archaic.