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aga
Culture & Society
by their wives when it comes to career
and money. Men like to feel that they are
the head of the family,” agreed Tongai
Maphosa.
According to traditional beliefs, men
are the providers or breadwinners of the
family while women are the care-givers.
Feminists feel that the practice is
patriarchal and it is designed to favour
male domination as women are relegated
to be just care givers and the males won’t
have to be challenged by their women
counterparts at the work place.
“Men and women should have equal
opportunities at home and work; a couple
should share care for the children and
house work, and they should both be
able to go out to work if they want. It
is unprogressive for women to be only
care-givers. Each woman has to make the
her hopes and dreams.
“Women should voice their views in the
quest for emancipation and empowerment
against the patriarchal social set-up
which has always suppressed them from
mastering their own destiny,” said Kundai
Nyamutsenha who works with women
organisations.
Tatenda says it pains her to hear
many stereotypes about housewives, “We
tend to be portrayed as unmotivated,
depressed and uneducated. It’s not true
we also have ambitions.”
Not all men agree that women are
supposed to be just housewives as they
argue that when you marry you get
yourself a helper who should also work to
give the family stability.
“When the pressure of bills and
do well with a helper as the current
economical condition doesn’t need a sole
breadwinner,” said Tendai Gondo.
According to the scriptures, husbands
should be the head of the family and
should make decisions, which he views
are the best for his family.
“For the husband is the head of the wife
as Christ is the head of the church. Now
as the church submits to Christ, so also
wives should submit to their husbands
in everything says Ephesians 5:22,” said
Over the years women have been
facets of life. TP
*Not their real names.
The Parade - Zimbabwe’s Most Read Lifestyle Magazine August 2014
Page 47