Joseph,
the Rambam as quoted by Zalman says:
“However, it is degrading for a woman to always be outside and on the streets. A man should prevent his wife from doing so. She should go outside once or twice a month, according to the need.”
As I’ve written previously, childcare/ educational/ household tasks require that I do go out nearly every day, and most of my friends with young children do the same (we live in a large frum community in the northeast). This is clearly in excess of the ideal “once or twice a month” advocated by the Rambam.
You’ve noted that the words of the Rambam are not meant to apply only to his time, or to be understood in a figurative sense. The Rambam as quoted here did not make exceptions to say that it’s all right for women to go outside frequently if they are taking their children to the park or for a medical checkup, or if they are taking their children to or from school or buying groceries.
So, once again, here’s my question: Why do you suppose the Gedolim haven’t spoken out against these practices, and given advice on how communities should restructure so that women no longer need to leave their homes frequently to perform these tasks? And if Gedolim have addressed this issue, please share with us the names of the Gedolim & the suggestions they have made, without telling me to consult my LOR.