A woman's place is at home

By  Joyce Kho




Traditionally, men were the sole breadwinner of the family while women would stay at home and look after the family. Throughout history, women had generally fewer legal rights and career opportunities as compared to men. Men were often defined in terms of occupations whereas women were defined in terms of family. However, in the modern society today, especially in the more developed countries, it will be absolutely absurd for people to possess this mindset. Personally, I do not believe that a woman’s place is solely at home.


Women can be as capable as their male counterparts. Throughout these years, women have desperately fought for their own rights. They wanted to work, they wanted to study, they wanted to have more freedom in decision making and they wanted the same rights as men. They organised many feminist movements that started way in 18th century, they burnt the bras in 1960s as a symbol of freedom--all these were just to exclaim to the whole world that they were equally as capable as the men. Indeed, they won the battle. In today’s world, they are no longer conceived as inferior as compared to their counterparts. Perhaps there are still some disputes here and there, but generally women have finally had their own basic rights. Women may be different in terms of physical build, but their brain are capable to function as good as men. In developed countries, everybody is entitled to education rights, and with education, one is able to prove their capability through various tests. Workplace is more accepting towards women. They recognise the fact that they can be as valuable as men. Research has shown that more women are starting to take up higher positions. Indeed, most families are going towards the double-income trend where both parties work and share the financial burden. All these are signs that woman’s place is no longer at home where they are only capable of looking after the family.

Women may have proved that they are as capable, but they are not able to shake off their responsibilities at home totally. Responsibility for family is always present. One still has to take care of housework and bring up their children. Some may leave these responsibilities to their house-keeper, but proper upbringing of a child is extremely important and should not totally leave to outsiders. Women need to recognise the fact that though right now they have fought their rights and are able to work together with men, they are actually engaging in multiple tasks. After work, they will still have to return home and perform their role as a mother. Their place is still at home after work. However, this should not be woman’s job solely. Men have to share the same responsibility as women. After all, family belongs to two people, not one. Therefore, woman’s place is still at home, though not totally.

In conclusion, the world cannot be run by arrogant and intrusive men. Traditional social status had made women feel inferior. It was as if they existed to serve men and care for the children. Today’s society is able to strike a healthy balance between men and women, work and family. They are able to rebuild the pride and confidence of women. As long as women are able to strike a balance and not neglect their family as a result of the new social status, there should not be a problem. All in all, a woman’s is still at home, but should not be solely at home.