Wednesday, June 5, 2013

How To Find Contentment At Home

I think that the key to contentment at home is to always remember that what you are doing as a wife, mother and homemaker is important. Woman's work is just as important as that of a man. God created us as male and female for a reason, so that we would complete each other. Both man and woman have their own roles to play. Isn't it strange that so-called advocates for women have such unmerited contempt for all things traditionally female? It just doesn't make sense.

I'd like to say that it's OK to be a woman and to have womanly interests. Men and women are different, and to try to erase this difference is to rebel against God and Nature. This whole modern liberal crusade against the laws of biology and common sense is ridiculous, to say the least. I just keep wondering that normal people fell for this nonsense, no doubt under the influence of that magic word, choice.

For too long a time, women were supposed to live according to the traditional standards reserved for men. Woman's life got measured by her achievements in the working world, not in her family. She was lauded for having a good career, not a good marriage, well-bred children and peaceful home life. The traditional female hobbies and interests were (and are) denigrated. I'd say, enough is enough. Why should women be ashamed of themselves? Why should everybody be the same? Long live sexual dimorphism:)

It didn't start now, of course. If you ever watched I Love Lucy, you'll remember that Lucy was jealous of her husband's professional success, and did many stupid things which often put his career in jeopardy, to draw attention to herself. I could never understand the mindset of a woman jealous of her husband's career, but it was probably typical for many women of her generation who wouldn't work themselves but raised their daughters to be feminists.

Those who argue against feminism will often point out that the working world is not so glamorous as one thinks, and staying home is a much better option. They are right, but only to a degree. Many women fail to find satisfaction in the working world, not because of the lack of glamour, but simply because they are women and being such, value different things than men. It's not for nothing that when women entered the professions en masse they started lobbying for changes such as flexible working hours.

Feminists can shout from the rooftops about progress they have achieved in feminising various industries but if the working place becomes too feminised, men will simply leave it and move somewhere else. It's not because they are "afraid of strong independent women", but simply because they have different interests and ideas. It's time we as society admitted it, but it probably won't happen in the near future. Anyway, only the dead fish goes with the current. We can start changing the society now by simply admitting the fact of the difference of the sexes and acting accordingly.

It's OK to be a woman. It's not shameful to wear pretty dresses and like frilly things. It's not unnatural to choose motherhood over career. It's not wrong to have more interest in knitting patterns than in automatic rifles. Don't compare yourself to men. Don't think in terms of: "I could have made a better career than John." Think instead: "How could I make my home prettier than the neighbour's?"

I'd like to end with this quote from "Fascinating Womanhood" by Helen Andelin: "The feminine woman is naturally oriented to her womanhood. She is proud to be a woman and happy to fill her destiny as a wife and mother, anxious to make a happy home for her loved ones. Her career is a career in the home. Her occupation is to live her daily life. Her glory is the esteem of her husband and the happiness of her children." (p.247, Bantam Books, 1992).

5 comments:

  1. "so that we would complete each other"

    yes, yes and yes, to complete and not to compete...

    I wish I had the courage I have now 30 years ago... I knew what was the right thing to do, but I let those with stronger opinions (those who had authority over me) dictate my decisions (concerning this issue) I was too nice, too naive, may I say too obedient? I did what I was told to do, even though I strongly disagreed in my mind...

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    1. Miriam, I'm afraid we were all influenced by that philosophy, at least to some degree. The good thing is that it's never too late to change your life and that we can encourage others to do the right thing and not to repeat our mistakes.

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    2. Yes, that's the right thing to do_now_. Couldn't agree more :-)

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  2. Came here looking for information on Fascinating Womanhood. Nice post.

    I really like your penultimate paragraph:

    'It's OK to be a woman. It's not shameful to wear pretty dresses and like frilly things. It's not unnatural to choose motherhood over career. It's not wrong to have more interest in knitting patterns than in automatic rifles. Don't compare yourself to men. Don't think in terms of: "I could have made a better career than John." Think instead: "How could I make my home prettier than the neighbour's?" '

    I wish more women realised this

    You should read "How To Teach Your Husband To Love You", similar ideas

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