The roles we play
Last night I was talking to my mom on the phone and the topic of my Uncle Richard and his new wife came up. She is from Thailand and plays a very traditional role in their marriage. He works and makes the money and she does everything else. She cooks, cleans, serves him, etc. This really upsets my mom and she said she wants to get a hold of his new wife and “westernize” her.
My uncle married a Thai woman mostly for the reason that she is not “westernized”. Today’s American woman often tries to have the best of both worlds. They want to be “equal” when it suits them, and “treated like a lady” at the same time. I feel that the marriages that tend to work are those in which each person plays some of the traditional roles. For the most part, men are still expected to lift anything heavy, take out the trash, take care of the cars (purchasing and maintenance), protect the family, plan for the financial future of the family, and deal with anything that can be purchased at Home Depot. While there are always exceptions, men accept this role and take on the tasks without much of a thought.
Women, it seems, have become less willing to continue with their historic roles of taking care of the house (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) and men are now expected to share these duties in addition to their own. I think women often forget the roles men play, because it is not something that stands out everyday.
This also came up in the conversation with my mom last night when she mentioned that even though I have a broken foot, I should still help Vanessa with all of the chores around the house. Vanessa has been very busy with work and school, so I already have been trying to help, but my foot swells quickly if I am on it too much.
This opinion sounds extremely sexist. I know. I am not saying one sex is better than another. Men and women excel in different things because they are different. We have different hormones that affect us in different ways. This website does a good job of explaining this same viewpoint from a woman's perspective.
http://www.cynicalbastards.com/cynic/contrib/menandwomen.html
My uncle married a Thai woman mostly for the reason that she is not “westernized”. Today’s American woman often tries to have the best of both worlds. They want to be “equal” when it suits them, and “treated like a lady” at the same time. I feel that the marriages that tend to work are those in which each person plays some of the traditional roles. For the most part, men are still expected to lift anything heavy, take out the trash, take care of the cars (purchasing and maintenance), protect the family, plan for the financial future of the family, and deal with anything that can be purchased at Home Depot. While there are always exceptions, men accept this role and take on the tasks without much of a thought.
Women, it seems, have become less willing to continue with their historic roles of taking care of the house (cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc.) and men are now expected to share these duties in addition to their own. I think women often forget the roles men play, because it is not something that stands out everyday.
This also came up in the conversation with my mom last night when she mentioned that even though I have a broken foot, I should still help Vanessa with all of the chores around the house. Vanessa has been very busy with work and school, so I already have been trying to help, but my foot swells quickly if I am on it too much.
This opinion sounds extremely sexist. I know. I am not saying one sex is better than another. Men and women excel in different things because they are different. We have different hormones that affect us in different ways. This website does a good job of explaining this same viewpoint from a woman's perspective.
http://www.cynicalbastards.com/cynic/contrib/menandwomen.html
posted by Page at
3:24 PM
5 Comments:
Cooking, cleaning and making food really is a full time position. When I wasn't working I did a lot of those things and when I'd tell people what I had done they said well you didn't accomplish much which kinda of hurt my feelings because I had done a lot in doing those things. As long as a woman is happy with staying at home that is cool. Happiness I think is the important thing whether you are working or a stay at home domestic. Because staying at home doing all those chores really is a full time job. I do think if both people work than both should help out equally after all both people work as many hours and should take part equally. As for less willing comment - I think woman have just found what is out there. Its not that they are less willing to do what they historically done - its that now they are given the choice to do other things and broaden their minds. Sure they excell at home but what about in the work? All the moms I know who work are amazing. To be able to work, handle kids and the house is amazing. Great multi-taskers those women are. Chew on that bone.
By
Anonymous, At
9:48 PM
I'll give you a bone to chew on! Now get back in the kitchen and make me a turkey pot pie.
By
Anonymous, At
7:29 AM
I think the worst thing this country ever did, was give women the right to vote!
By
Anonymous, At
4:36 PM
Hey Turkey Pot Pie and Worst Thing, the sad thing is not that women have evolved but how you two haven't.
By
Anonymous, At
9:17 PM
I never said housework was easy, but at the same time, women often discount the work that men do. Women who can work and keep a house while taking care of the family are amazing. Hands down. My problem comes when she is working, not able to care of the house, and not able to take care of the family.
By
Page, At
7:50 AM
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