I do not hope to see such articles again...
This is outrageous and the fact that such thinking still exists truly saddens me. And if I did not remember wrongly, it seems like not too long ago, a similar article was posted in ST Forum or TODAY as well.
Seriously, men like this Seah fellow ought to be shot for their condescending and egoistical manner against women. It is indeed mind-boggling as to why he thinks that having women "get back into the kitchen" will result in a lower divorce rate.
We all know where he is coming from. His whole argument stems from the fact that he thinks women exist to SERVE men. Men who expect to return home from work with "warm home-cooked meals and a well-organised house" waiting for them, and who otherwise "will begin to feel deprived of these things". Hello Mister? We are living in the 21st century here, time to catch up! We are living in a society where there's equality of the sexes. If you want a warm home-cooked meal, why can't you cook it yourself? Why is it only "right" that the woman should cook it for you? Have you ever thought about that?
Men like Seah, please ask yourself, why should women be denied the chance to work and be productive, and be in-step with the fast-changing world? Women spend equal amounts of time studying as compared to men, and after all these years of education, why should we be deprived of the chance to put our knowledge to good use? Even when women work with the motive of being financially-independent, there is nothing wrong with that. Who is to say that our partner will provide for us for life? Being financially-independent is a form of empowerment. Imagine having to ask for money each time you want to make a purchase, like it or not, it puts you in the weaker position since your partner has a strong financial hold over you.
I also wonder if this Seah fellow did his research properly before submitting his article. How many households can really survive with a single income? In our society where all kinds of fares and utility bills are increasing all the time, can we afford to have just one sole breadwinner in the family? I have met many young married ladies in my workplace, and out of curiosity, I'll always ask them if they have ever entertained the thought of staying at home to look after their infant kids. Many of them want to, and they feel guilty about shoving the responsibility of parenthood to their parents or in-laws. However, the conclusion is always the same, it is difficult to survive on the husband's income alone. Just look at the price of the a new HDB flat nowadays. A 4-room flat in Queenstown/Toa Payoh cost between $250k to $350k. Most of us would definitely have to pay this huge sum by instalments, and the interest alone can work out to be as much as the initial price of the flat. Add this monthly instalment on top of all the essential monthly payments, how can a single income of say, $2500 or below, be enough to cover all these expenses? It is even more unthinkable when there are children to think of.
I fervently hope that Seah did not express the general sentiment of Singaporean males in his article. It would be greatly disappointing if he had. Marriage, like anything else, evolves with the times. We have passed the era where marriage is a matter of men bringing home the bread, and women staying at home and pandering to men's every need. We have moved to a stage where both the husband and wife contribute to the family finances, have an equal say in all matters and provide mutual support to each other. Thinking that divorce rates will decrease by getting women back to their kitchens is naive and simplistic. A marriage will work out when there is love, quality communication, understanding and tolerance. The occupation of the wife, housewife or working adult, has no bearing on the relationship. In fact, I would venture further to say that a wife who is working and in touch with society might prove to be an even better partner for her husband. She can understand the work stress which her husband is going through. Besides, her mind is stimulated daily by work challenges and it builds up her intelligence and confidence, which ups her attractiveness quotient.
Housework can, and should be shouldered by both partners. It injects meaning into something which we usually consider mundane. It is heartwarming to whip up a delicious meal together with your partner. Time can also be spent constructively when say, the wife irons the clothes while the husband mops the floor, and at the same time, they can be talking to each other about their day. Only when burdens are shared, can we rid the common blame--"You do not know what I'm going through!"-- which eventually can only lead to anger and resentment. Cage a highly-educated woman at home, entertaining only daily thoughts such as "What to cook?", "What housework should I do today?" and so on, I assure you, the dissatisfaction will be even more prominent, and more marriages will fail.
Seriously, men like this Seah fellow ought to be shot for their condescending and egoistical manner against women. It is indeed mind-boggling as to why he thinks that having women "get back into the kitchen" will result in a lower divorce rate.
We all know where he is coming from. His whole argument stems from the fact that he thinks women exist to SERVE men. Men who expect to return home from work with "warm home-cooked meals and a well-organised house" waiting for them, and who otherwise "will begin to feel deprived of these things". Hello Mister? We are living in the 21st century here, time to catch up! We are living in a society where there's equality of the sexes. If you want a warm home-cooked meal, why can't you cook it yourself? Why is it only "right" that the woman should cook it for you? Have you ever thought about that?
Men like Seah, please ask yourself, why should women be denied the chance to work and be productive, and be in-step with the fast-changing world? Women spend equal amounts of time studying as compared to men, and after all these years of education, why should we be deprived of the chance to put our knowledge to good use? Even when women work with the motive of being financially-independent, there is nothing wrong with that. Who is to say that our partner will provide for us for life? Being financially-independent is a form of empowerment. Imagine having to ask for money each time you want to make a purchase, like it or not, it puts you in the weaker position since your partner has a strong financial hold over you.
I also wonder if this Seah fellow did his research properly before submitting his article. How many households can really survive with a single income? In our society where all kinds of fares and utility bills are increasing all the time, can we afford to have just one sole breadwinner in the family? I have met many young married ladies in my workplace, and out of curiosity, I'll always ask them if they have ever entertained the thought of staying at home to look after their infant kids. Many of them want to, and they feel guilty about shoving the responsibility of parenthood to their parents or in-laws. However, the conclusion is always the same, it is difficult to survive on the husband's income alone. Just look at the price of the a new HDB flat nowadays. A 4-room flat in Queenstown/Toa Payoh cost between $250k to $350k. Most of us would definitely have to pay this huge sum by instalments, and the interest alone can work out to be as much as the initial price of the flat. Add this monthly instalment on top of all the essential monthly payments, how can a single income of say, $2500 or below, be enough to cover all these expenses? It is even more unthinkable when there are children to think of.
I fervently hope that Seah did not express the general sentiment of Singaporean males in his article. It would be greatly disappointing if he had. Marriage, like anything else, evolves with the times. We have passed the era where marriage is a matter of men bringing home the bread, and women staying at home and pandering to men's every need. We have moved to a stage where both the husband and wife contribute to the family finances, have an equal say in all matters and provide mutual support to each other. Thinking that divorce rates will decrease by getting women back to their kitchens is naive and simplistic. A marriage will work out when there is love, quality communication, understanding and tolerance. The occupation of the wife, housewife or working adult, has no bearing on the relationship. In fact, I would venture further to say that a wife who is working and in touch with society might prove to be an even better partner for her husband. She can understand the work stress which her husband is going through. Besides, her mind is stimulated daily by work challenges and it builds up her intelligence and confidence, which ups her attractiveness quotient.
Housework can, and should be shouldered by both partners. It injects meaning into something which we usually consider mundane. It is heartwarming to whip up a delicious meal together with your partner. Time can also be spent constructively when say, the wife irons the clothes while the husband mops the floor, and at the same time, they can be talking to each other about their day. Only when burdens are shared, can we rid the common blame--"You do not know what I'm going through!"-- which eventually can only lead to anger and resentment. Cage a highly-educated woman at home, entertaining only daily thoughts such as "What to cook?", "What housework should I do today?" and so on, I assure you, the dissatisfaction will be even more prominent, and more marriages will fail.