OK, I didn't read all the posts but.... I think that the type of woman that would take on so much work to be self sufficient, would not NEED a man as much as many women would. I see it as a partnership. I am not physically able to do allot of work, however my DH couldn't do it without my help. I'm the "skills" person... he's the "barter" person! I can, plant the garden, raise the livestock, build the fires and can the goods. DH can barter for fire wood, barter to keep the cars and trucks going, find "useful" items and pay the bills. If we were a pioneer family, we would have to own trading post! What I couldn't do.... he would trade or barter for! He can lug the feed and do physical labor (witch I can't) but I can build a chicken coop and make sure we' re fed on what we have.