Home-maker – Is this status really that bad?

Few months back, we went to an Indian gathering where lots of my husband’s colleagues were there. One of my hubby’s colleague’s better half asked me where I work to which I replied proudly that I am a home-maker. Her next question came quickly, enquiring if we have any kids. When I denied of having any kids, I remember the disgusting expression she made of my status.

Few decades back when woman were encouraged to study they were discouraged saying “Padh likh kar afsar banana hai kya?” (Want to become an officer after studies?) . Now the trend has changed, specially in cities and towns, where educated home-makers are commented as “Itni padh likh kar ghar mein baitkar bartan maanjane ke liye kya?” So somehow studies are linked with jobs in our society.

My mom is not that educated in the sense that she was not able to go for her graduation. But I know had she got that opportunity she would have excelled cos I know how intelligent and sensible she is when she used to take decisions in our family matters. Lot of times I had to agree with my mom than my dad who had an engineering degree. Though my mom never studied in English medium schools, but soon after her marriage she educated herself with English and till date she never misses reading Times of India everyday in the morning. As kids, she used to update us with the news. She used her knowledge to her best with whatever education she had and brought up her 3 kids in such a manner that today we all are proud of her for being such an exceptional Home-maker.

Well getting educated means getting knowledge in the first place and then using that knowledge to earn money is secondary purpose for education. I am a staunch believer that in a family, a man should be a bread earner and a woman may or may not be part of it. I strongly believe that God created woman in such a way that she can take care of her family, with care, sensibility, emotion, and love which a man cannot do with equal measure. If woman can do all the above along with a job then its an added bonus for a family. Getting a working knowledge is also part of education, if one can avail, because it will boost the inner confidence of facing different people. But when a woman chooses not to work, as long as she is well educated, she too plays a major part in upbringing her family with using her knowledge in best possible way. So next time please don’t ridicule a home-maker because she too plays an important part in the society.