Being a woman perhaps is a terribly difficult task, since it consists principally in dealing with men. On this womens' day, let me appreciate all the women who have opted for being our better halfs.
'Better Half' as a term has always made me curious as a child. It was a beautiful word which meant self-less support, love and a well orchestrated team spirit to lead life. It was about taking the role of doing what one is good at.
My mother was a good cook and had a good sense of embroidery. So she took up kitchen management out of my father's life. With the kitchen, she took up the responsibility of the cleanliness of the house. As for her interests, my father had bought her a knitting machine and an embroidery machine. She is today known for her great embroidery and knitting skills.
My father, apart from being the provider and the primary earner, was a good teacher. He took the role of being the teacher of the house teaching us everything from school book education to good habits and civic sense.
It was a perfect balance of responsibility and authority over the family. There was a balance of the do's and dont's for each role in the family.
They were perfect Better Halfs, as they were performing the roles which they were better at.
Today, I see a dilution of this concept of 'Better-Half'. We are no longer as good as in the past, in dividing our responsibilities and authority in the family. We are confused about the roles that we are better at. Is the man better than the woman in providing for the house? Is the woman better in being a home-maker to instil values into the children? We are unsure of the do's and dont's in the family structure.
Modern thinking, education and consumerism is affecting our mindsets. For instance, we are unsure of the utility of education in being a home maker.
Gender equality is being confused with Role equality. Gender equality is not about the women getting to work and earn as the men do. Gender equality is not about women doing what the men traditionally used to do. Gender equality is not about women getting the acceptance to smoke and drink like the men.
Sometimes I get a feeling that women liberation is all about conforming to standards set by men for themselves. It is about women doing and excelling in what the men traditionally used to do.
Gender equality is not about conversions of role. Gender equality is about respecting gender equally without bias.
It is unfortunate that our society is going through this confused phase in the name of coping western lifestyles and attaining freedom of thought and action. It is slowly changing the meaning of the word 'Better Half' to simply mean 'Other Half'.
'Other Half' surely doesnt have the same charm to hold a family together. I want a Better Half in my life to help me lead a happy fulfilled life.
I want to sincerely show my respect and love to all the women who believes in being the better half and accept the role that they are better at.
A Happy Womens' Day to all of you!
'Better Half' as a term has always made me curious as a child. It was a beautiful word which meant self-less support, love and a well orchestrated team spirit to lead life. It was about taking the role of doing what one is good at.
My mother was a good cook and had a good sense of embroidery. So she took up kitchen management out of my father's life. With the kitchen, she took up the responsibility of the cleanliness of the house. As for her interests, my father had bought her a knitting machine and an embroidery machine. She is today known for her great embroidery and knitting skills.
My father, apart from being the provider and the primary earner, was a good teacher. He took the role of being the teacher of the house teaching us everything from school book education to good habits and civic sense.
It was a perfect balance of responsibility and authority over the family. There was a balance of the do's and dont's for each role in the family.
They were perfect Better Halfs, as they were performing the roles which they were better at.
Today, I see a dilution of this concept of 'Better-Half'. We are no longer as good as in the past, in dividing our responsibilities and authority in the family. We are confused about the roles that we are better at. Is the man better than the woman in providing for the house? Is the woman better in being a home-maker to instil values into the children? We are unsure of the do's and dont's in the family structure.
Modern thinking, education and consumerism is affecting our mindsets. For instance, we are unsure of the utility of education in being a home maker.
Gender equality is being confused with Role equality. Gender equality is not about the women getting to work and earn as the men do. Gender equality is not about women doing what the men traditionally used to do. Gender equality is not about women getting the acceptance to smoke and drink like the men.
Sometimes I get a feeling that women liberation is all about conforming to standards set by men for themselves. It is about women doing and excelling in what the men traditionally used to do.
Gender equality is not about conversions of role. Gender equality is about respecting gender equally without bias.
It is unfortunate that our society is going through this confused phase in the name of coping western lifestyles and attaining freedom of thought and action. It is slowly changing the meaning of the word 'Better Half' to simply mean 'Other Half'.
'Other Half' surely doesnt have the same charm to hold a family together. I want a Better Half in my life to help me lead a happy fulfilled life.
I want to sincerely show my respect and love to all the women who believes in being the better half and accept the role that they are better at.
A Happy Womens' Day to all of you!
