In this think piece, we reflect on how far we've come—or not—when it relates to judging women's choices and who (ahem) still bears the brunt of household and emotional labour
The world gradually evolves along with the people in it, but does that mean we always get progress? Even now in 2022, we find ourselves returning to supposedly-outgrown problems and stereotypes of race, class, and gender.
Lo and behold, people continue to find new ways to criticise women's role in society, even going as far as finding fault in their decision to become a homemaker or stay-at-home mum in the 21st century.
See also: Felicia Atienza Talks About Fitness Practices And Her Dual Role As Entrepreneur And Homemaker
"Don't you just want to be a housewife and stay at home?"
I've been posed this question a few times, mostly in jest, by peers who share my situation (that being a young professional working to make ends meet while dreaming of her future). Although I admire the thought of nurturing my own tot, I could never become a homemaker, because I cannot imagine giving up my career.
I'm not the type to sneer at those who make that choice, however. But there is a tad few who find homemaking in this day and age something to be ashamed of. It is frustrating to find out that the world has put pressure once more on women to conform to a new norm.
"It isn't fashionable these days to be a homemaker, and I can't recall the [number] of times when I've been asked what I do for a living and when I've answered 'I'm a stay at home mum' and it's stopped a conversation completely," stay-at-home mum Jet Acuzar shares. "We need to destigmatise homemaking because we need to allow ourselves to define what joy means to us and what fulfilment and success look like, and it is not going to be the same for everyone."
Georgia Schulze del Rosario would agree. She relates, "To me, all paths are honourable. Your worth as a woman shouldn’t be measured by whether you choose to be at home, or out building a career."
"I can see how it is easy to think that homemakers stay at home and do nothing all day but this is far from reality. A stay at home parent means working on the home and most importantly raising and nurturing its inhabitants—it’s a 24-hour job," adds Jessica Tan Gan.
See also: Travelling The Philippines: Georgia Schulze del Rosario's 'Rosa Goes To' Children's Book Out Now