The Double Burden

In the middle age, people had only one notion about the woman; that is, they were born to control the household chores and manage the children. But in today’s world, women empowerment has taken place which has opened new doors for the women to thrive and shine.

The majority of Indian women are involved in regular economic activity or productive work. This is in addition to their domestic work which is defined as women's responsibility. The Indian menfolk in general are unwilling to contribute their part in finishing the household work. As a result women are entrusted with the double burden of doing household chores, taking care of her children, husband and be equally good with their job.

The home is assumed to be woman's main place of work and working in an office or institution to be secondary. We find, therefore working women trying to do a balancing job between home and workplace which can be equated like balancing on a tight rope. It is common to see A working woman get up early, work in the kitchen, getting the children ready for school. After all this getting ready hurriedly and reaching office in time. At work also, they have to give 100% to accomplish the given task, work hard to qualify for promotion. In the evening rush back home to attend to family duties, household work and children's studies. It is way more worse than a 'rat race' men incessantly talk about.

The double burden of holding a job and looking after a family is the biggest challenge an Indian woman faces. The long-term effect of women's double responsibilities on their psychological and physical health and lack of efficiency and productivity. Mostly, working women expand their workday, not by cutting back on child care time or regular household chores but by reducing their 'leisure' time.

To call a woman the weaker sex is a label; it is a man's injustice to a woman. If by strength it is meant moral power, then she is immeasurably powerful. Had she not been self-sacrificing? Had she not been an epitome of great endurance? Men would not have been at the same position. There's a reason why it is sadi that; "behind every successful man is a woman". The phrase should change to "BEHIND EVERY SUCCESSFUL FAMILY, IS AN ENDURING MOTHER AND A CONSIDERATE HUSBAND".

A woman therefore is a comhination of many forms whose job is the most difficult in world. It is the duty of the society to acknowledge her contribution and appreciate her efforts. There has to be a greater sensitization and understanding of the problems of working women. "Double burden" can be reduced only by changing the mindset of Indian women and the patriarchal society that looks down upon women as their entities whom they may treat the way they like.

It is the responsibility of the policy makers and planners to acknowledge women's state and to find ways to minimise the burden, and ultimately relieve women of it. This should happen not by denying work opportunities but by making their workplace more friendly and compatible. 

Most importantly, the next generation of children must be made sensitive to the hardships faced by their mothers at the home and workplace.This gendered practice within the household can only be changed through a revolutionised method of primary socialisation. The upbringing of children must be free from gendered practices and expectations. Both men and women must be taught that domestic work is meant for every person that enjoys the comfort of these personalised spaces. 

Words of equality and consolation mean nothing if they are not reciprocated through sincere actions. Hence, it is high time that we stop running away from our domestic duties, and rather, learn to manage our indoor tasks with as much expertise as we portray in our respective workplaces.