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Monday, December 12, 2005
This morning, while I was at the computer, Mom suddenly appeared next to me and in an imperious voice, declared,"I want you to go down and buy a bleaching solution and raffia string." "Waaaaa..." I said weakly. I had almost sputtered a rude "Walau!" that might have earned me a disapproving look following which, another half an hour's worth of incessant clucking. "What's this?" Mom demanded. "Nooo...I don't want..." I moaned. That was a wrong move, I tell ya. For Mom started angrily on the issue of - "Why can't you do such simple errands? This is not the first time. I ask you to do housework and it's always this same response too. At this rate, I pity the poor bloke who marries you!" I promptly shut up. And Mom went away to get her purse and a few minutes later - SLAM! "At this rate, I pity the poor bloke who marries you!" These words kept replaying in my mind. For a while, I was completely pissed. What? My worth as a spouse is solely dependent on my ability to do housework? My ego was stung. So, Miss Tay would never be a good wife in her momma's eyes. Or is she? Look. In this relatively modern society where the notion of feminity has evolved to embrace the female independence outside the perimeters of a household, a woman's ability to do housework should hardly affect her marketability as a potential spouse. I doubt most guys, save for an unusual few, would look to a woman's ability to do housework as a deciding factor in selecting their prospective spouses. That is, if they are serious in marrying someone they love. I know of some men who marry out of convenience or other practical reasons. In any case, if a guy wants to marry me, he should love me for myself afterall. Besides, busy career women are too preoccupied with the daily challenges at work to bother themselves with the domestic trivialities. They have the money to hire a maid, anyway. And so, as long as the house remains clean and uncluttered, I don't see why not doing household chores should diminish a woman's value as a spouse. I don't see why I cannot be a good wife just because I hate household chores. I just don't. Then again, my imagination brings me to a scene in which, owing to unknown circumstances, I am forced to stay at home and look after a wailing baby of three months. There's no maid because I no longer work and the family income has reduced to a mere four thousand dollars, just enough for the three of us to live comfortably. I need to feed the baby now. I haven't finished mopping the floor and there're puddles here and there. My husband would be coming home in about two hours and I need to start preparing for dinner. Oh shit! I have forgotten to buy the brocolli and prawns. Everything's a mess and, and, and... I didn't dare to think further. And against my wilful tendencies, I came to a conclusion that it is imperative for me to be adept in household chores. Not just for marriage, but I guess it's also means of securing my independence. Imagine not being reliant on a maid or someone else to help you clean and maintain a house. It's freedom because you don't need to brood how much a maid is taking up your monthly expenditure. And being able to clean your house gives you a sense of control over your possessions. Not that it is important but I guess it boosts your marketability anyhow. I imagine my husband telling his friends,"My wife is a doctor and you know what, she knows how to cook too!" How spiffing. Mom's back now. And you know what, I shall go and help peel the prawns. Posted by |z|r| at |
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kindly. SHOUT. archives credits |
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