Families of F-1 visa holders are being split and marriages are under stress because spouses of F-1 visa holders are NOT allowed to work legally. They either have to return to their countries to be able to work or remain idle in the US and jeopardize their career if they want their families to be together.
Imagine the stress a spouse will have to go through if he or she has to be 'home' for 4 years without working because the spouse is a Ph.D student and on an F-1 visa. His or her CV will have a gap that will deter future employers from employing him/her.
Please allow adult F-2 visa holders to work legally and save their careers as well as prevent families from splitting and marriages from breaking as a result of pursuing higher education.