Husband vs Wife Essay -- Family Marriage Gender Roles Essays

Husband vs Wife Since the traditional conceptions of masculinity and femininity define man as instrumental and woman as expressive, then it follows that men and women can function in their traditional roles only in conjuction with each other. Each requires the other in order to perform at their peak in the world. A man is incomplete without nurturing and tenderness and when he cannot find these qualities within himself he becomes dependent on the woman in his life to provide them. A woman cannot function well without the self-assertiveness and leadership that she, if traditionally feminine could not develop within herself. For these qualities she becomes dependent on a man. Neither can stand alone and this relationship is formalized within the institution of marriage. Once the relationship is established, tasks and behaviors are assigned along sex-oriented lines. The woman becomes the wife and mother with certain tasks and the man accordingly becomes the husband and father with his own set of prescribed tasks and behaviors. In this relationship, powers are divided rather than shared. The man is allocated the power to make important decisions, achieve status, and material goods. On the other hand, assumes the power to feel, nurture, serve and manage domestic and interpersonal life of the home. Women thus gain power in private in exchange for submission in public. This is the traditional bargain struck between the two sexes. With the acceptance of the role of wife almost all women, especially role-oriented women, accept as well as the role of housewife. The deprecatory phrase ?I?m just a housewife? typifies the low esteem in which this position is held in our society. The housewife?s responsibilities fall under at least twelve occupational titles: nursemaid, housekeeper, seamstress, dietician, cook, dishwasher, laundress, food buyer, chauffer, gardener, practical nurse, and maintenance worker. However, she receives no pay and has to ask her husband for money for basically everything. It is remarkable that most women still rush to fill such a position. The traditional housewife?s main task is putting the interests of her husband and her children first. Her central mission in life is to care for her husband and children, and finds her major satisfaction in her family. In addition, for the traditional wife individual achievement is proscribed tho... ...ir own well being are disdained as ?woman?s work? ? the chores of the inferior sex. Undertaking the responsibilities of the housewife for many men is again an admission of failure, a sign announcing inadequacy in doing men?s work, which, if successful and profitable, would no doubt keep them to busy for insignificant tasks. Men do, however, develop traits often not found in women. In their competitive world men enhance their own logic and rationality and they learn top deal with problems, not people, as they inch their way up the latter of status and prestige external supports in this world are strong and rewards are tangible. They seldom have to wonder if their labor is or is not noticed, appreciated, or of value. At the same time as men?s energies are engaged in this competitiveness they tend top lose touch with their own emotions of with those of others. They are not interested in vital interpersonal communication when they return home after a day?s work. Overworked and preocc upied they desire only relief from those they have left at the office. Very much in need of emotional support they still regard the interpersonal facet and life as secondary to the major business.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚