From the World of Homemakers: Family vs. Work. Who Wins?

In today’s world, where gender equality has become the norm, traditional family roles are shifting. Women are increasingly working as hard as men, and many families face challenges balancing work responsibilities with home life.

In today’s world, where gender equality has become the norm, traditional family roles are shifting. Women are increasingly working as hard as men, and many families face challenges balancing work responsibilities with home life.

After transitioning to a full-time homemaker, I got a chance to view this issue from a different perspective. My husband continues to work hard, often staying late at the office and going on business trips, while I stay at home. What did I discover? Work hours and salary have become major points of tension in our relationship.

Conflicts between work and family are common. For instance, a man comes home after a long day, expecting a warm welcome, but instead finds his wife upset, accusing him of prioritizing work over family. This often leads to pointless arguments where work is cast as the villain.

To clarify this situation, I suggested a simple test to my husband. Here are two typical scenarios:

Scenario 1: A man is about to go home at 6:00 PM. He has already turned off his computer, called his wife, and promised to pick up some bread when his boss calls with an urgent task that needs immediate attention. Despite his wife’s complaints, he decides to stay at work, fearing job loss.

Scenario 2: A man is working on an important assignment from his boss when his wife calls, asking him to pick up their child. He immediately leaves work despite his boss’s threats, fearing that his wife might leave him.

The result of the test is clear: the second scenario happens in only about 8% of cases. The threat of losing a job seems more real and frightening than the threat of divorce. Men often feel compelled to work around the clock, fearing job loss, which can lead to neglect of family.

It’s important to remember that work is just one part of life. If a man spends all his time working, it’s no surprise if the family eventually falls apart. Balancing work and family is key to maintaining healthy relationships and overall life harmony.