CSDC 251

In the relationship between the family and work, particular attention must be given to the issue of the work of women in the family, more generally to the recognition of the so-called work of “housekeeping”, which also involves the responsibility of men as husbands and fathers. The work of housekeeping, starting with that of the mother, precisely because it is a service directed and devoted to the quality of life, constitutes a type of activity that is eminently personal and personalizing, and that must be socially recognized and valued⁵⁶⁷ Cf. Pius XII, Allocution to Women on the Dignity and Mission of Women (21 October 1945): AAS 37AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 37 (1945) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1945), 284-295; John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Laborem Exercens, 19: AAS 73AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 73 (1981) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1981), 625-629; John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 23: AAS 74AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 74 (1982) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1982), 107-109; Holy See, Charter of the Rights of the Family, art. 10 b, Vatican Polyglot Press, Vatican City 1983, p. 14., also by means of economic compensation in keeping with that of other types of work⁵⁶⁸ Cf. John Paul II, Letter to Families Gratissimam Sane, 17: AAS 86AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 86 (1994) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1994), 903-906.. At the same time, care must be taken to eliminate all the obstacles that prevent a husband and wife from making free decisions concerning their procreative responsibilities and, in particular, those that do not allow women to carry out their maternal role fully⁵⁶⁹ Cf. John Paul II, Encyclical Letter Laborem Exercens, 19: AAS 73AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 73 (1981) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1981), 625- 629; John Paul II, Apostolic Exhortation Familiaris Consortio, 23: AAS 74AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 74 (1982) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1982), 107-109..