HUSBANDS normally take on the role as head of the household and breadwinner for his growing family. This responsibility has always been his since the dawn of time. Our cultural norm also perceives the role of the husband as such. If this role was reversed and taken on by the wife, it will be very awkward in the eyes and culture of our nation, just as it was awkward hearing this potential possibility taking place in the future, as announced by Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Vice Chancelor, Prof. Datuk Seri Ibrahim Abu Shah.
Undoubtedly, this phenomenon has long been accepted in Western countries and is growing rapidly in other hemispheres. Some 189,000 men out of the 61 million residents in the United Kingdom have decided to become ‘househusbands’.
In Seoul, South Korea, as reported in the Berita Harian daily newspaper on Tuesday (23 October 2007), the numbers of husbands who have decided to become househusbands have increased by 40 percent in the past three years.
The country’s statistics department revealed that the numbers of husbands who have chosen to stay at home increase to 151,000 in 2006, compared to 106,000 in 2003.
This abnormality was reported to have stemmed from various reasons. The main reason that more now women hold high-income careers which were previously dominated by men.
In Malaysia, the ‘fewer’ male than female students scenario in all institutions of higher education, with a ratio of 40:60, has been a cause for worry to various groups that are concerned that the phenomenon may ‘infect’ this country sooner or later.
In my limited wisdom, it should not be a problem if a man becomes a househusband, as long as both husband and wife agree and are comfortable with the arrangement. Based on the reasons mentioned earlier, women (wives) who have careers and who earn higher incomes in comparison to men (husbands), are in a better position to undertake family’s financial responsibilities.
In fact, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, views this as a perfectly healthy phenomena as it is able to create a sense of sharing and responsibility in raising children and taking care of the household. She also added, what’s important in a marriage is mutual respect between the husband and wife (Utusan, 23 August 2007).
Apart from that, as a proactive step in preparation for this phenomenon, parenting skills will become one of the courses offered in community colleges all over the country, emulating similar examples taking place in countries such as the United Kingdom and Japan.
The Ministry of Higher Education, which suggested for this course to be implemented, is of the opinion that parenting skills is important for the younger generation in preparing themselves to become good parents in the future.
This is very much applauded. Even Islam does not view this phenomena to be wrong if a husband takes care of the household. However, this arrangement should be temporary, in line with the husband’s natural role as head of the family as well as the main breadwinner.
The wife’s responsibility, on the other hand, is to maintain the husband’s dignity, seeking |
ABOUT US
