Like just about any question which begins "Do Baptists believe...?", the answer is "Some do." On social questions such as this, people calling themselves Baptist run the gamut. Some do interpret the phrase "keepers at home" to require the women to be full time homemakers and nothing else. Most would be a little more toward the middle, but still right of center, seeing a definite distinction of responisbilites and authority between men and women, but allowing that there is liberty in how these responsibilities may be fulfilled.

First and foremost, I expect the concensus position of Baptists is that staying at home to raise children (and to a lesser extent being a homemaker without children) IS work. Most will agree that stay-at-home mom is among the most important and demanding work done by anybody in the world and ought to be valued by society above many other occupations (my own list of less-valued careers would include sports star, movie star/actor, accountant, lawyer, business executive, teacher, engineer, politician, etc.). I think you will get a clear majority to agree that being a stay-at-home mom is preferable to being employed outside the home in addition to the mom responsibilities. Most will also acknowledge that many (especially single) moms need to earn an income to be good parents. Many Christian (and Baptist) stay-at-home women are occupied with PTA, scouts, community sports, church activities and a host of other roles invaluable to society that do not qualify as "work" in many opinions. I guess my summary would be that the "preferred" situation is to have a wage-earner and a home-maker married in a household. You will get wide variation of opinion on how much part-time vs full-time employment, work-from-home, cottage industry and volunteer "work" is appropriate for women with children of different ages and other circumstances. [Admin: I recommend moving question to the Baptist beliefs forum.]

I would agree with the othrs who have posted answers here. It is preferred that mothers stay home with the kids, but not required. The Bible does say that a woman can work if she chooses to or if it is necessary for the family. The book of Proverbs gives a great description of a virtuous woman. She works in and out of the home. Proverbs 31:14-25 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.