I like to think we have progressed as a society enough to treat everyone as equals. I like to think family role stereotyping no longer exists, but that is just not the case. There is nothing wrong with women not working. There is nothing wrong with women being housewives. The same goes for men. The issue lies within putting all of these household responsibilities on one specific gender because that is the norm of the past. I want to live in a household with a man who does not make me feel like I need to have dinner on the table for him and the kids every night just because I am a woman. It is 2016 for crying out loud.
Recently, I saw a video that was called "Share The Load." #ShareTheLoad is a campaign sponsored by Ariel, an Indian laundry detergent. On the website, it includes a pledge that encourages men to assist their wives in doing laundry around the house. In this commercial, an Indian woman's father apologizes for passing down the traditional gender roles through generations.
“I am so sorry. Sorry that you have to do this all on your own, sorry that I never stopped you while you were playing house,” the father says in the commercial. “I never told you that it’s not your job alone, but your husband’s too.”
My parents have been together since they were fifteen. Before they had kids they both worked to pay the bills. I have amazing parents, and I would not change a thing. My dad financially supported all of us, while still keeping a close relationship with each and every one of us. My mom cooked, cleaned, did the laundry, took us to school and went to all of our practices and games. She provided us with food, school supplies, clothing and anything else I could possibly need or want in my life. I could not have asked for better parents and I am forever thankful.
But I do not want to grow up and have these roles in my household. I do not want to live in a household where I am responsible for all of the cleaning, cooking, laundry and duties of a housewife. I want to financially contribute for my family. I want to have a career for myself. I want to further educate myself, work and exercise my independence And I do not want to be frowned upon for it.
