'I'm in it for the MRS degree'

In the past, women typically worked at home and as housewives, but today, women are expected to balance home lives as well as work lives, said associate instructor Christina Harvey, who has taught “Women at Work” in the English department.\nHowever, at least 10 groups on Facebook are devoted to supporting the future lifestyles of those in college currently earning an “MRS” degree, which means a woman goes to college to find a husband. \nHarvey said she finds this idea surprising.\n“I’m really confused as to why young women would be planning their futures so early and then continuing to attend college,” Harvey said. “I guess even if you do plan on staying in the home, having a college degree does enrich you as a person.”\nWhile completing a college education does make a well-rounded person, the hidden agenda of finding a husband contradicts the purpose of being in college, she said.\nFreshman Crystal McAhren also disagrees with the “MRS” degree concept. \n“Women who are going to school only to meet guys shouldn’t be in college,” McAhren said. “I would think that a successful and hardworking woman would be more appealing to men than someone who just expects to be taken care of.”\nFreshman Jason Schechtman said he doesn’t think there is anything wrong with wanting to attain the MRS degree and he believes women should be taken care of by their husbands.\n“Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to go to college, and if women want to stay at home while their husbands go to work, they have every right to,” he said.\nNot only do some women believe in the “MRS” degree plan for themselves, but they seem to be promoting it to other women as well. Open Facebook groups titled “I’m in it for the MRS degree” and “I’d be Happier with my MRS degree” allow members to celebrate their similar lifestyles made possible by their college educations. Discussion topics include how it is their common goal to have their husbands work while they sit on the couch all day watching Oprah. \nFreshman Lauren Fioritto said young women may find themselves heading in this direction by chance, not by choice.\n“You can come to college with the intention of getting a specific degree, but when things change and hit the wall, a good degree and the man of your dreams looks like a good compromise,” Fioritto said.