According to Carlen, what aspect of life do most women feel they miss out on?

Carlen's research emphasizes that many women feel a sense of deprivation regarding both material and emotional rewards from family life. This perspective is rooted in her examination of how societal expectations and gender roles can lead women to feel marginalized and unfulfilled in their experiences of domestic life.

Women strive for connections, love, and emotional support, often viewing these elements as essential to a rewarding life. The absence of a nurturing family environment or the failure to achieve idealized familial relationships can contribute to feelings of missing out on crucial aspects of personal fulfillment. In Carlen’s work, the idea that women often encounter barriers to gaining these emotional rewards—especially in a context where their roles may be undervalued or where they may be economically disadvantaged—highlights the significance of family life in women's self-perception and identity.

In contrast, while a proper education, conventional domestic gender roles, and financial independence are certainly important factors in discussions of women's experiences, the specific emphasis in Carlen's research is on the emotional and material dimensions of family life that many women identify as lacking or unattainable.