He hunted and fished from dawn to dusk. He followed herds of animals from one grazing plain to another. Sometimes he would be absent from the cave for weeks. His skill provided his family with food and clothing. There were no holidays. In the untamed wilderness, if he didn't put his utmost effort into his tasks, the family would not survive.
His mate had no easy life either. She kept the home fires burning, literally. She prepared and cooked the game, fowl and fish her man provided. She sewed hides together to make clothing. When the group learned the skill of growing edible crops, the agricultural chores were also hers. In the midst of her busy life, she bore and cared for the children.
Life for the average modern man is much easier. He works an eight-hour day, and has weekends off . His job often does not entail much manual labor. When he comes home at the end of the day. after a brief rest, he has energy left for other pursuits. Most employers also arrange annual holidays so workers can renew their energy levels.
How has the work of the female of the species progressed since those early days? She still bears the responsibility for running a smooth household. She continues to plan and cook the meals, but often has to get the food herself from the grocery store. She sees that the family is appropriately clothed, but now she must shop for the garments in a busy mall.
In addition to these chores, most modern women hold down full-time jobs because contemporary families need two salaries to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. Somewhere in midst of her busy life, the woman still bears children. Now, in addition, she must arrange quality care for them during the hours she can't be with them.
In is easy to see the inequality in the way family roles have evolved. The male's life is much easier today, while the female has more responsibilities than her prehistoric ancestor. It's only fair that, when both spouses work, husbands should shoulder part of the burden of work around the home.
Where would his help be most useful? He cannot bear or give birth to the children, and his wife would probably insist on finding a sitter herself, whom she trusts to care for the children . Their welfare is just as important to her as her own, and often even more so.
He cannot ease the burden of her career. She was hired for her particular skills and her employer is not likely to accept a substitute.
He can best help by assuming some responsibilities around the house.Unlike the cave of former days, it requires a great deal of maintenance, especially when the children start to arrive. A man is just as capable of cooking, cleaning and childcare as his wife. When both spouses have full-time jobs, the household chores should be evenly divided between the two.
The most intelligent and the happiest husbands learned a valuable secret early in their marriages, one that is sure to pay dividends down through the years.
A tired, stressed wife is grouchy, impatient, and shrewish. A wife who has help with the housework and children is cheerful, content and affectionate. The most beautiful sight in the world to a working mom is the sight of her man in an apron, vacuuming the rugs while the dinner he prepared is cooking in the oven!
Heads up, Men! A word to the wise should be sufficient.
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