A Woman’s Place
Posted on 12.06.09 to Personal by JoanI had a very interesting discussion today about the woman’s role at home and in society today.
Some still subscribe to the belief that a woman’s place is in the home, that she has to be the head of the household, look after the home affairs and bring up the children — that having an education means that she is better equipped to helping with the pressures and demands of her children’s education. Especially so if her husband can afford to support the family with his income.
I, personally, don’t subscribe to that belief because I feel that one needs to keep active and relevant. So we have to be independent and well-equipped to look after ourselves — a good education, the ability to keep house, street-smarts and financial independence. Even if we are fortunate to have a husband who is more than capable to support us, a little bit of work (or any form of meaningful activity) is important to our personal well-being.
I do understand that it is hard to have it all, and I know it’s tough — it’s difficult to have a fabulous career, be the super mum to our kids and have the ability to pamper ourselves on the off-chance that we are alone. But I feel that we can balance it to a state of equilibrium that we are comfortable with, whichever way it may be, even though there are the days you just want to give it all up and crawl into a hole.
I am NOT suggesting, however, that my way is the right and only way. I always say — whatever works for you.
But I am very curious about what my contemporaries, both male or female, feel about this.
Do you feel that a woman’s place is only at home? Do share your thoughts in the comments section here, or if you prefer, send me an email at info@valskaDOTcom. I would really love to hear from you!
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Comments ( 3 )
I have only just started working outside the home again 3 months ago after being a work-at-home mom and wife for the past 10 years. It has been more fun and less stressful than I could have imagined. I’m lucky, though, because I have a supportive family with a helper and mother-in-law who are able to take care of the kids when I am at work. Work is critical to my well-being because I enjoy socializing with my colleagues and because I have a tendency to obsess over the kids too much. ;)
Hsien added these pithy words on
Dec 06 09 at
5:51 PM
The question is not whether women belong at home or at work. The key point is a woman should be free to decide with her spouse where her place is. If she wants to stay home, she should be able to do so without criticism from anyone. Likewise if she wants to go out to work.
I belong to a small group of women who choose not to have children. Hence my choice is clear :)
Eveline added these pithy words on
Dec 06 09 at
9:13 PM
hey joan, great to know u remember me ha!! i ditto ur 3rd para…i quit my job 1/2 way thru my maternity leave tis yr when i had my 1st baby cos i simply can’t bear to leave him haha…but i totally agree with u about being independent…my husb & i dun subscribe to the ‘old sch belief’, we’ve mostly go dutch during dating, & even after marriage even tho he earned much more than me,even after the baby came, we stil fork out 1/2, 1/2 for all the expenses…oni till recently when i finally ran out of my savings tat i’ve to start ‘depending’ on him, it was tough ‘to actually ask for $$’ initially cos i’ve stopped asking my parents for $$ since 18, but i’m gettin the hang of it haha…but yes, any form of meaningful activity is extremely important,and i make sure i do that :) so i’m totally with u :)
rach added these pithy words on
Dec 18 09 at
3:50 PM
