Housewives

It seems that housewives have been a neglected part of our society. The recent limelight shone onto this group of special people was sparked off by comments made in the papers. The monetary hand-outs for the coming GST (Goods and Services Tax) increase in Singapore, in the form of Workfare Bonuses and GST Rebates have provisions for National Servicemen, the elderly and the poor but do not seem to favour a select group of unemployed - the homemakers.

In our modern society, both spouses are expected to work in order to support the family. Somehow when it comes to children, they need to find some form of arrangement, either by hiring domestic help or employing childcare services, in order to manage their hectic lifestyles. The face of the family have changed much over the years.

Yet there are those who choose to stay at home and look after the children, make the sacrifices to serve, give first priority to cater to their family needs. Some gave up their career aspirations to be homemakers. It's a choice, a decision, which may or may not be circumstantial.

My mother is a housewife. I am proud and honoured that my mother had given so much for my family. When I was young, she was always there to nurture each step of my growth. Whenever I came home from school, I was always greeted by nice, warm home-cooked food. I remember a good friend of mine once told me how envious she was that I had the privilege to savour home-cooked food. Day after day, she looked after the household chores without a single dollar of pay. Without this love and attention from my mother, I believe that things would have probably turned out differently for me.

It is a price that cannot be measured or easily foretold. I have a childhood friend who used to tell me that somehow being cared for by a maid just didn't feel the same. She said she felt a distance from her family identity and often looked to her friends for a sense of belonging. Back then, I didn't really understand what she had meant but as I grew up and watched how my peers turned out, it really reinforced the idea that what my mother had sacrificed cannot be discounted.

Though economic contributions are easily visible and recognised, there's an even more important side where the homemakers contribute to society and nurture the next generation of people that is usually not seen. Housewives deserve a lot more appreciation and I guess it's just about time we recognise them.