“She is just a homemaker”
A homemaker can be a man or woman who is in charge of their household. Taking care of children, cooking, cleaning and maintaining the home, housekeeping, managing etc. are some of the things done by homemakers. In Indian households, homemakers are entitled to ‘ just a homemaker‘ because all the works mentioned above are supposed to be the responsibilities of any woman.
They are obliged to do these without expecting any acknowledgements in the form of salary or appraisals. There are some fallacies that homemakers don’t work from nine to five, they do not contribute to the economy of a family and they are enjoying their life doing nothing.
The Truth of Being a Homemaker in India
According to the age-old culture of India, women are presumed to be homemakers and men are deemed to be breadwinners. The 21st century has brought about some mild changes. Some women started working and contributing to their families. But the idea of women being supposed to be homemakers didn’t change. Developments in the mentality of the people in a country also serve an important job apart from the technological developments in a country. It also defines the standard of a country and its people.
Laws and schemes are made to strengthen women in India, but a majority of women folk are not aware of this. The minimum legal age for marriage has been 18 for women and 21 for men. This action has made a crucial change in gaining a basic education for women before marriage. Once women turn eighteen society entitles them as ‘ready for marriage commodity‘. Being married at a young age also makes them eligible for motherhood at a young age.
Most of the women who get married at an early age settle as homemakers instead of resuming their education. Early motherhood also provides them with post-pregnancy related issues, stress, and responsibilities of small children etc. Even a working woman who goes for a sabbatical during or post-pregnancy, when she decides to return to work she might find difficulty in finding a job since workplaces believe that a sabbatical might have compromised her efficiency and might have debilitated her productivity. Women who return to employment typically see their chance of moving up the occupational ladder decrease.
Lack of endorsement from the family, workplace, and society also turns out to be an important reason for women to settle as homemakers instead of workers.
A Typical Day in the Life of a Homemaker
Homemakers are full-time workers. They wake up early in the morning, cook breakfast, snacks, prepare tiffins, cleans the home, women with babies have to take care of them, feed them, buy groceries, maintain home, being left alone in a home also bring in anxiety, loneliness and depression, once children come back from school they have to take care of them, be a listener, teacher, therapist and motivational speaker for their family.
In a basic context, they are eligible for the salaries given to cook, cleaner, therapist, motivational speaker, teacher and a lot more. But at the end of the day, they are given the title ‘just a homemaker’.
Don’t They Deserve A Better Treatment?
"Uthra a young homemaker died as a victim of snakebite murder, planned by her husband whose motive was to take ownership of his wife's dowry in gold and also her life insurance policy." ( Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala_snakebite_murder )
Young Kerala woman was found dead days after sharing pics of injuries by an abusive husband : https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/young-kerala-woman-found-dead-days-after-sharing-pics-injuries-abusive-husband-151023
"Indoor air pollution (IAP) - emanating from chulhas burning wood, coal, and animal dung as fuels is a bigger health hazard for Indians." ( Read More: https://www.cleancookingalliance.org/about/news/12-14-2012-chulha-smoke-choking-indian-women-kids.html )
"Homemakers are falling prey to loneliness and depression due to lack of interaction with people."
More Indian homemakers suffer from depression and anxiety disorders than men. Women with depression are more likely to commit suicide than men with depression. Homemakers accounted for the second-highest percentage of all suicide victims in India after daily wage labourers. The major reasons for the same include early marriage, young motherhood, domestic violence, economic dependence etc. The mental health and physical health problems of homemakers in India are to be discussed and solutions have to be made for the betterment of their lives.
Step towards creating India a Better Place for Homemakers
In Indian households, children are provided complete care, protection and economic assistance until they get married or paid. Undertaking part-time jobs or any efforts to find their way of living from the age of 18 is not a common sight in India. The merits of finding one’s way of living include perceiving society, creating a distinct identity, work experience and also improves skills like decision making, time management, problem-solving etc.
Financial security can bring about a commendable difference in the current situation of women in India. After settling for a homemaker a fixed amount should be paid to them by their partner. Most of the women are tolerating abuse and domestic violence as they are dependent on their husbands. Homemakers have the right to be paid and to enjoy the fruits of their labour. It is not the happiness of their partner and children which is to be counted as homemaker’s happiness.
“Value of woman’s work at home is no less than that of her office-going husband” – This is the statement made by the Supreme Court of India. Actions need to be taken to make homemakers financially secure. (Read More: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/value-of-homemakers-work-same-as-hubbys-at-office-sc/articleshow/80125241.cms )
Although the practice of dowry has been illegal in India since 1961, it continues to thrive in the names of gifts and aid to cover the expenses of marriage etc. Women regardless of working status are falling prey to this age-old practice which is highly demeaning. Women are becoming a business deal between their parents and the groom’s family. The problems faced by homemakers due to dowry dissatisfaction goes from domestic abuse, harassment and some ends in dowry death. These problems only become a part of the mainstream discussion only when victims commit suicide or are murdered.
It is the need of the hour to take stringent actions to put an end to the dowry system. Women have equal rights and status like any men in society. They should not be considered as a burden or an object.
The physical health of homemakers should be given important concern. Schemes like Ujjwala Yojana, an initiative put forth by the Modi government in India was a great success initially but later on, the allegation regarding lack of refillers and the corruption in the middle ground made it a partial success and it couldn’t fulfil the aim of this initiative. If this initiative is made transparent, without the intervention of middlemen it can bring about visible changes. It is also important to ensure people are receiving the cylinders without any delay. This initiative can raise the quality of living and can also save the homemakers and their family from indoor air pollution and other health problems. (Read More: https://www.financialexpress.com/economy/pm-narendra-modis-ujjwala-yojana-scheme-provided-lpg-access-but-failed-to-promote-its-use-says-study/1833877/ )
Most of the homemakers in India are suffering from lifestyle diseases and obesity. Lack of physical activity is one of the important factors which leads to these problems. Work such as cooking, washing, and cleaning in a confined manner can’t burn enough calories.
Developing an exercise culture in Indian households can create drastic changes in the health of homemakers and also their family. Physical fitness rejuvenates the mind and body of a human being. It reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases and obesity.
Enjoy Being a Homemaker!
The job of homemaker is not less in standard compared to any other jobs. It should be acknowledged by society.
One’s career should be their own decision without being biased by family pressure or social norms. Homemakers can consider income-generating ways like giving tuition, starting small business etc. which can make them engaged and financially secure. Society should acknowledge and respect them. Families should support them in the decisions they make. The role of a homemaker is not something to shy away from. Playing the role in an effective and enjoyable manner makes it even more beautiful.
