“I’m just a housewife….”I don’t understand why this introduction is always laden with remorse and self-pity. Is it really a crime to be a housewife? Is it something to be embarrassed about that you choose not to work outside your home for some other people and instead chose to work in your home for your own people? Is monetary remuneration the only benchmark of being proud of what you are doing and how you are spending your life?
How could you be “just a housewife…” when the basic social unit of society heavily depends on you and your services? Isn’t it surprising that even if your day starts before everyone and ends after everyone, still you don’t feel that you have accomplished anything. A housewife works for the longest hour, shelling out every responsibility of the house, be it supporting your husband, child studies, caring for elders, managing finances, paying bills, grocery shopping, cooking according to individual taste, cleaning, entertaining family and friends, maintaining a pleasant environment at home, remembering things what others have forgotten, looking after each and every requirement of the family members, even the crayons for kids, files and spectacles of the husband and medicines of elder. She is everywhere and could be anyone; daughter, wife, mother, teacher, financial advisor, fashion designer and consultant, nurse, gardener, driver, cook, and the list goes on; that too with professional perfection. Don’t think you are not being paid for it. You get the remuneration that no amount of money can provide- the love and affection of your family, their trust in you, a happy home and immense work satisfaction.
It is you who chose to be in this occupation, willingly or for any other reason. You know how demanding this profession is with unlimited number of working hours, no weekends, no leaves, no retirement, and yes no help that can ever match your efficiency. Just think it is you who are there that your husband goes out to work relaxed and your child look forward to returning to a patient hearing. After a hectic day, maybe sometimes filled with trials and turbulence, all wait to return to the cozy home set by you. They know you will be there to absorb all their stress and fatigue and rejuvenate them. Would the life have been the same had you been working outside to earn some money? Would you along with your family have been able to buy all the content in life that you are enjoying now with that money?
Respect yourself for what you are and not for what you should have been. Command that respect and revives that admiration for your occupation that is fast losing its sheen. Introduce yourself to the world with the same dignity as you are living your life with. The world understands the importance of your job; it’s time to make them accept it.
Introduce yourself but with pride and with twinkle in your eyes…I am a housewife. Kick that “just” out.