New-age husbands

I was just wondering a few days back, how the situation has changed in an educated Indian household over the last few years. Men no longer are the only bread winners in the family with contribution coming in even from their better halves. It has changed for the better, no doubt and I totally support it. However, there are some buckets in this country where, still, the situation is a lot male dominated and the women folk have to do all the household chores. I have some friends who also believe in this principle as well but not me.

I think a household is run by two people working together in tandem and in harmony. Understanding each other’s shortcomings and helping each other overcome them is the fun and challenge that a couple face in their initial years. That has its own charm. Knowing the other persons quirks and responding or even handling it is exciting in itself. Yes, there might be sometimes when it gets out of control but then getting things back on track is also enjoyable.

Moms from the 70s or 80s could be aptly termed as super human beings; managing work as well as household (as the male perception had not changed much in those days). They used to get up early, cook lunch for the entire family, pack up and go to work, come back, cater to their children and finally cook dinner  (again for the entire family). The male members role was simple; get up, read the newspaper while having tea (made by his wife), have breakfast (again cooked by wife dearest), go to work, come back in the evening, have dinner, watch T.V and crash out. If we compare the level of activities done by both the members in the household, the former's contribution sounds terrific, doesn’t it? And that’s why I’ve taken the liberty to call them super-moms. No doubt even those mothers who were house-wives could be termed as super-women but they atleast had a little bit of relaxation in the afternoons when they would be all by themselves (after the morning whirlwind)! But just imagine the running around that must be taking place everyday during those years.

However, things have changed in a lot of homes these days (atleast in those which I’m aware of). Husbands take an active interest in the household chores; may it be drying clothes, cleaning around the house, or even cooking. It might not be voluntary but atleast it is done with the intention of reducing the burden off their counterparts. The fact that men have started thinking in this manner is in itself a positive change and a proof of their upbringing which has been done in an environment wherein girls have been treated with equal amount of respect. So, with equal (well almost) amount of work done by both, the husband and wife, chances of one being a super human being have drastically reduced these days…:-)

The qualities of the super women from yesteryears seem to have been equally divided among men and women these days. Both work and both contribute equally in the household. That’s the way it should be, isn’t it? However, I also feel that these “new-age husbands” are also confused somewhere down the line. They would love their wives to cook for them everyday (which is definitely not possible), take care of the maids, keep themselves updated with the stock of food at home, clean-up the refrigerators etc. and on the other hand they would also like them not to stress themselves out doing all these things…:P (definitely confused). I love cooking and I help my wife a lot of times with that. I find it a great stress buster and I feel liberated looking at my creation..LOL. However, I still wish that my kids grow up to remember and say “Oh, maa ke haath ka khana”, instead of “Oh, dad ke haath ka khana,” (didn’t I mention, they are confused!).