Why can not be both?
I know very dynamic women who are excellent mothers and are also productive in other areas.
And after raising children still has a lot to offer. But I think maybe some wish that they remain always locked at home and only go out with a palanquin grin emoticon
And specifically in our society of devotees. Which would prevent a good mother to give a good Bhagavatam class in the Temple?
Prabhupada was also not interested to lose the productive capacity of their female disciples wink emoticon
It is a complete waste they are locked in the house forever.
Letter to Karandhara -- Bombay 6 October, 1973: "So far as the woman distributers who have left New York and Boston Temples and have gone to New Vrindaban, they should return immediately and resume their original service. In Caitanya Mahaprabhu's Movement, everyone is preacher, whether man or woman it doesn't matter. I do not know why Kirtanananda Maharaja is encouraging our woman devotees not to go out on Sankirtana for book distribution. Everyone should go out."
And regarding the above quote of Prabhupada, when we are dealing with a topic we must take into account all Prabhupada quotes in his books, letters, lectures and conversations. And the conclusion is that Prabhupada states that man is deluded by woman and VICE VERSA, woman is deluded by man.
Cooking, cleaning, sewing, taking care of children...for God's sake, women are not limited only to that.
Woman is not limited to these activities only, if she has abilities for other activities:
Bhibavati asked Srila Prabhupada "Should I live like in the Vedic times, and simply serve my husband and child?" Srila Prabhupada answered, "No, you have a talent as a writer, you should write articles for newspapers and propagate Krishna Consciousness."
"You have good writing capacity, and good artistic ability. Now devote your life to chanting Hare Krsna and if possible write articles on Krsna Consciousness, as many as possible with your own paintings and send it for publication to Back to Godhead." (letter to Govinda Dasi, 1974)
"The nursery school program is very good. That is good that the mothers are being freed to increase their devotional service." (letter to Jayatirtha, 1975)
"All the wives of our students should be trained up for Deity worship and cooking, and when possible they should go on Sankirtana party with their husband and others." (letter to Hamsadutta, 1970)
"I am very glad to know that you are engaged as pujari there. Try to learn this art of arcana very nicely. ..I wish that all our girl devotees be expert in the matter of arcana..." (letter to Kanchanbala, 1970)
SB 3.31.41, Purport: "A man should not be attached to a woman, nor should a woman be attached to a man."
SB 3.31.42, Purport: "It is a question of attachment for one another. As long as either is attached to the other for such material enjoyment, the woman is dangerous for the man, and the man is also dangerous for the woman."
