The housekeeping woman has been around in all societies from the beginning of civilization. She is the one who takes care of the home, sees to it that it’s kept clean and presentable, caters to the children, and ensures that the entire household is perfect.
That’s quite a task, and one that most men would not dare to attempt. After all, women are born to do that sort of thing, it’s been said.
Until now, for lo and behold, there are now men who not only assume the role of the housekeeper, but often outdo her while enjoying it in the process too.
Maybe it’s an anomaly of nature, an aberration, something out of the ordinary, but there are some men who are suited to be housekeepers and able to assume the role wish relish, enthusiasm and gusto.
Let’s face it, housework is hard, thankless and unforgiving. As soon as you finish it, there is more to be done. And yet, women seem to accomplish it with consummate ease. Well, maybe not consummate ease, but they do seem to get the job done with utmost efficiency. Ask the average man to do what women do and see how inept he is.
Is that why most, if not all domestic helpers are females? Answer me honestly, if you requested a household helper to clean your house and a man showed up, how would you react? “Excuse me, but are you sure that you have the right address?” But if a woman showed up, you wouldn’t even bat an eye.
Can you imagine my shock and dismay when a man told me that he washes and irons his wife’s clothes for her? “SAY WHAT?” I asked, to which he replied, “Well, I’m home most of the time, so I just do it to save her the bother.”
Not only that, but he also cooks for the family and takes care of the children’s needs. And a good man he is too, for the very thought of a man putting on an apron, cleaning the house, cooking the meals and taking care of the children would be anathema to most men.
Maybe that’s why male housekeepers are in the minority, for many men would feel kinda strange to assume that role. Still, there have been cases of men forced into the situation due to unforeseen circumstances. In some instances the spouse just up and left him with the children, forcing him to take on the onerous,
arduous task of housekeeping. But I’m not referring to that, but more about voluntary housekeepers who go about their task with a song in their heart and a spring in their step.
Now, all men are not created equal, so all men cannot be housekeepers. There is the mantle of male ego, machismo and pride. Then there’s the question of self esteem, for few men would relish the thought that their spouse goes to work every day while he stays at home to run the house.
“Take down the curtains and wash them, wash the bathroom mats, wash the mops.”
Then he’ll be asked to prepare all the meals for the week. “Honey, you’re such a good cook, just keep on doing it.”
I’m not saying that men should not help with housekeeping, but when the question is asked, “Who wears the apron in the house?” his hand should not go up.
Men should certainly help their partners , but asking the man to assume the role of housekeeping, getting down on his hands and knees to scrub the floor, wash out the toilet, wash the dishes, cook all the meals, cater to the children, is perhaps out of his comfort zone.
When that happens, the balance of power will shift, and the woman views the man a bit differently, no longer seeing him as manly. A man wearing an apron and down on his knees scrubbing the floor does not present a picture of powerful masculinity..
It even affects his social status. “Hey Robert, you coming to the match?” “I can’t, I have housework to do.”
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