The competition between a housewife and a career woman has become more prominent since the start of feminism. Otherwise, these two categories existed since ages. Now feminism started with a clear intention to protect women from domestic abuse, injustice, to make them mentally, physically and financially strong. But many women took it otherwise and started to set a competitive approach with other women staying at home doing daily chores. The strife grew much deep that their lives were questioned to friction. And here we are into a debate or discussion (depending on the magnitude) who leads a pleasant life. Who rules happiness? Who is superior? The race between a housewife and a career woman was born.
According to me having a pleasant life depends on one’s own way of looking at it. I, being a working woman spend most of the time at work on nine hours shift. But the most underrated fact which almost no one focuses on is we have to start preparing for the office at least 2 to 3 hrs before the shift timing starts. Now that particular schedule varies depending on your distance from the office. It can be less or more. Reaching the office and getting back home doesn’t matter; near or far drains you off. And then you get little time for yourself. Hardly you sit and relax and spend time with your family. Next you rush to prepare the dinner in order to finish it in time. So that you get to sleep early in order to get up early. The only time I get to relax with myself is at night. It is entirely up to me how I manage the after dinner time. This is my six day daily routine in a week. Sundays is the only time I am at ease completely and unwind myself. Yes, you do have chores to accomplish but still you get time for yourself and family. This one day in the week makes me happy to the core. It’s not that I am not happy earning or with my work but Sunday is the stress buster.
A housewife has all the time in the house doing daily chores from morning to night. She is the one who gets up early , prepares breakfast for the family, look after children, drops them school most of the time, then continue with the house work, prepare lunch, get to rest in the afternoon. This time is her TV time or sleep or do something creative for herself like writing, knitting, drawing, painting etc. In the evening she starts with the evening tea and snacks for her family, sit and chat for sometime. Then off to prepare dinner. Everyone eats and ready to go to sleep. This is again a time for herself to unwind. During the entire time throughout the day, she also gets time for ‘women get-together’. They share talks, crack jokes, basically spend social hour. Many housewives are an entrepreneur. They do some kind of small business from home or work from home. In this way, they have enough time to look after their family, unroll, rest and earn too. Creativity at it’s best.
By and large, a career oriented woman finds a bit tough to manage work and home together. It’s tiring. On the other hand, housewife has all the time at home to indulge in some productive work and earn for herself.
Many working women are so passionate about their work that for them career makes them happy and complete. Now it’s up to them how they manage family and home. Especially the time is an issue for middle class ladies. Upper class can very well manage by hiring maids. For middle class women they have to think about the expenses and go penny by penny. They can hardly manage. Contrarily, housewives have least to bother about maids and if they want they can. They have all the time to be happy.
Happiness is all about your content of mind. Some woman find happiness at work and some at home. But I personally think and believe if both can be combined i.e. work from home (business or job) then it’s perfect.
*During these covid19 lock down days I am enjoying at home. I love to stay at home.*
Mahjabeen KHAN 