Maintaining our daily lives with family can seem a little daunting at times. Having grown up in a traditional Indian household, I can undeniably affirm that a home isn’t a home if not dedicatedly held together by a woman. I grew up in a small village in a family of five. My father was the only breadwinner, and my mother stayed at home, taking care of me and my younger sibling. This was our way of life. Mother would wake up before everyone else, clean the whole house, and cook delicious meals for everyone. Just like her, everyone else in the house went about their daily chores, but it was she who held us accountable. She made sure nobody was late, everyone had meals to eat, wore clean clothes, and enjoyed a lively day.
In this modern era, where job titles often signify one's worth and salaries determine value, housewives demand nothing in return. The title 'housewife' may sound detrimental and stereotypical. A housewife is like a manager who every day manages the personal property of the family and the next generation, that is, the children of the family, with no salary. Patriarchy has conditioned us to view it as a lowly role, often ignoring its importance. We hold an ingrained belief that these responsibilities naturally fall to women, as if it’s their duty. While we honor and respect various professions, we often overlook the role of a housewife, treating it as if it’s not even a job. However, just because a job doesn't come with a paycheck doesn't make it any less valuable.
We often take the housewives in our lives for granted, giving little to no respect to their role. Their role isn’t limited to cleaning and cooking; it extends beyond that. It’s an art. An art that requires sacrifice and selflessness. It’s an art of doing things for their loved ones out of love without expecting anything in return—not even a paycheck. No amount of success can surpass that. We frequently and very blatantly disregard and make inimical remarks without even realizing it. Known for their largess, housewives are simply pure and the most generous professionals to exist among us. Giving them respect and appreciating and thanking them simply for existing is the very least that we all can do.
Remember your school days? How your mother would wake you up, urging you to get ready for school? Everything was always provided without you even asking—a packed lunch, clean clothes, homework help, and an immense amount of affection. She would comfort you when you fell while playing and save the last piece of food for you instead of having it herself. She would cook your favorite meals on your bad days and manage everything so your young mind wouldn’t feel the pressure of responsibilities. All of it for what?
Believe it or not, ask any housewife why they do what they do. Not a single one will say they do it for appreciation or some sort of reward. They do it simply because they want everyone to lead a good life, and they would do anything to ensure you’re taken care of and loved. This requires an immense amount of effort, yet they make it seem effortless. There's a different perspective that society often misses. Many grown women today don’t want to end up as housewives because they’ve seen how undervalued this role is. They’ve witnessed the lack of respect and recognition it receives, which is why more women are reluctant to embrace this role exclusively.
However, even when a woman has a job, she doesn’t exempt herself from housewife duties; she takes on both. She balances both roles. Perhaps, this is the way a woman’s heart works. When we are sick, our mothers and wives spare no effort in taking care of our health. However, when they are sick, we often expect them to continue working and fulfilling their duties. When guests arrive, we enjoy their company while the housewife stays in the kitchen, preparing meals for everyone. Wouldn't it be nice if everyone not only respected her work but also helped her? It’s a huge responsibility. Sometimes, lending a hand is enough to show you care. A more effective approach could be the division of household duties among all family members. This way, she wouldn’t be stereotyped into a gender role, and it would ease the burden on everyone.
It’s high time we let go of our old, toxic patterns and start appreciating and helping housewives to create a cohesive, healthy, and happy environment in our families. We should encourage men and children to participate in household activities and feel accountable as well. Beyond the physical tasks, housewives have to go through an immense amount of emotional labor as well. Taking care of everyone’s needs and preferences to maintain peace and emotional harmony can be overwhelming at times. Comforting everyone, resolving issues, and pampering everyone can feel overstimulating. However, they manage to do it all with grace and patience. This emotional labor is crucial for creating a nurturing and supportive environment within the family, yet it often goes unrecognized and unappreciated. Acknowledging and appreciating this emotional labor can go a long way in supporting housewives and valuing the invisible yet vital work they do every day. In conclusion, we should celebrate housewives for their hard work and dedication, which is often overlooked.
It's essential to not only appreciate and acknowledge their efforts but also recognize the unique and challenging nature of their role. Maintaining a comfortable home should be everyone's responsibility, not just the housewife's. We can start with simple, effective steps. For example, teaching children the importance of household chores and emphasizing that it is everyone's duty to help can change social perceptions early on. This approach can help create a more fair and less patriarchal world. Our behavior should set an example for the next generation, fostering respect for housewives and their work. By doing so, we raise individuals who value and respect women's contributions both inside and outside the home.
P.S.: This article highlights that housewives deserve respect while also acknowledging that men’s roles are equally important and valued. Both contributions are vital, and we should appreciate the hard work and dedication from everyone. Also, what's one challenge that housewives often face but rarely get enough recognition for? Comment below and let us know😁
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