Quote:
Originally Posted by Madelaine Amee
Unfortunately, you are correct. I think the women born before the boomers were brought up to be subservient to men in every way. I have a neighbor and a friend who is a new widow who have both told me they had to have the meal on the table when the man got home, the children had to be her responsibility and out of the way until he had eaten, the women could only do menial task jobs outside the home (nothing professional) and tend to their homes and their family. So it is probably very difficult for these much older men to get it through their head that times have changed. I now know women who are the breadwinners and the husband is the house husband who takes care of the home and the children. Unfortunately, I think we have to wait for the older generation of men to die off before much changes.
In my home things were so very different. My Mother was a college educated women with a degree, my Father was an Engineer. She worked for as long as I can remember, he had his own business. I adored my Father who was so proud of us all and I married a man very much like my Father in his thinking. I take care of my husband because I WANT to, not because it is expected of me and my husband treats me the same way.
|
Change in generational attitudes between my mom, who was born in 1930 and my sisters and I, late Baby Boomers. After I moved out of my parents' home, occasionally I would call late afternoon. I remember the first time I called around this time. My mom answers the phone.
Mom: "Make it quick, I can't talk long now."
Me: "Are you going out?"
Mom: "No, your father will be home from work soon, and he wants his dinner at 6:00 pm."
Me: "Will the world end if dinner is served at 6:15 or 6:30?"
Shortly after one of my younger sisters got married, she was at my parents' house around dinner time. I must have been visiting my parents as I was already out on my own. My sister said she would stay for dinner. I said to her, "What about Wayne's dinner?" My sister's reply was "His arms aren't broken. He can make his own dinner." I guess it all worked out because they celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary a few months ago.
Spouses taking care of each other because they want to; that is what marriage should be.