There are many factors that encourage married women to be active in the workforce. First of all, there are financial purposes; two incomes are better than one when it comes to economical support for the household. Also, she may have personal reasons, goals and ambitions that she wants to achieve – why does society expect women to put their lives on hold to raise their children and take care of their family and not the husband? Marriage is all about compromise and equality, there is nothing fair about a stay-at home mother when the father is not expected to do the same. A community is not complete without women; they make up the second half of the society we live in, so it is quite understandable that they would like to contribute in building it.
However, in our society, women are placed upon a pedestal; they are valued and treated with great respect. In our religion and culture, a woman always has a guardian; this does not necessarily mean that she is oppressed, on the contrary, this emphasizes that she is dignified. Therefore, the men in our society are used to going out of their way to ensure that a woman – single or married – is comfortable in her life, and is not facing any problems. This duty is first carried out by her father, and later on by her husband. The same way the wife is expected to be obedient and caring towards her husband, it is her husband’s obligation to ensure that she has everything that she desires.
This does not mean that a married woman cannot be independent. Being a career woman helps build her character and molds her personality. Subsequently this prepares her in case she ends up getting divorced, she will know how to land on her two feet and not lean on anyone but herself. Also, if she gets divorced, she will have a back-up plan – her income remains hers and will not have to be financially dependent on anyone other than herself.
In a conservative society like ours, women are needed in workplaces such as hospitals and educational institutes. It is against our cultural norms and religion that a woman reveals herself in front of a strange male – whether it is when seeing a gynecologist or for something simple like getting her ears checked. In cases like these, a woman’s presence ensures that no one’s honor is touched upon and her reputation, not to mention her family name, remains intact.
However, in our society, women are placed upon a pedestal; they are valued and treated with great respect. In our religion and culture, a woman always has a guardian; this does not necessarily mean that she is oppressed, on the contrary, this emphasizes that she is dignified. Therefore, the men in our society are used to going out of their way to ensure that a woman – single or married – is comfortable in her life, and is not facing any problems. This duty is first carried out by her father, and later on by her husband. The same way the wife is expected to be obedient and caring towards her husband, it is her husband’s obligation to ensure that she has everything that she desires.
This does not mean that a married woman cannot be independent. Being a career woman helps build her character and molds her personality. Subsequently this prepares her in case she ends up getting divorced, she will know how to land on her two feet and not lean on anyone but herself. Also, if she gets divorced, she will have a back-up plan – her income remains hers and will not have to be financially dependent on anyone other than herself.
In a conservative society like ours, women are needed in workplaces such as hospitals and educational institutes. It is against our cultural norms and religion that a woman reveals herself in front of a strange male – whether it is when seeing a gynecologist or for something simple like getting her ears checked. In cases like these, a woman’s presence ensures that no one’s honor is touched upon and her reputation, not to mention her family name, remains intact.
