Housewives: The Unseen Architects of a Well-Nurtured Generation
In this modern age, where women are increasingly unstoppable, driven by a constant adrenaline rush to dress up, go out, push boundaries, earn a living, achieve financial independence, and matter in all stages of life, there remains a group of women who consciously choose to become homemakers and housewives. They dreamed it, chose it, and made it a career path that later defined a generation of well-brought-up children, raised by strong, tough mothers who selflessly dared to give it all up for posterity. This sacrifice ensures that future generations will not need to question the quality of their upbringing.
The Choice of Homemaking in a Challenging Economy
While professional career women walk in heels, heading to break the glass ceilings that are traditionally said to restrict females from reaching the same heights as their male counterparts, homemakers or housewives do not merely stay put in the comfort or discomfort of their homes. They do so without the sophistication of wearing heels, focusing instead on raising and nurturing children. In a porous economy like Nigeria's, where every hand needs to be on deck to earn a living and survive, some might call this choice insanity. A woman opting to be a care-matron for her family could strain her husband financially. However, she chooses this path not from a lack of ability to earn money, but from a deep-seated need to provide adequate nurturing for a family that expands into not just a society, but a sane one that curbs the menace of street urchins, vagabonds, crime, and social misfits.
The 2026 International Women's Day 'Give To Gain' Campaign
The 2026 International Women's Day (IWD) with the theme 'Give To Gain' campaign takes on a louder, more intense perspective. It goes beyond women stretching out their hands to forge gender equality through abundant giving. This campaign should also speak to women to take up their inherent mantle as life-givers, stepping farther from the competition to be equals with men in boardrooms and on global stages. Instead, it encourages them to rise above these odds by not limiting themselves to gender equality but embracing roles as life-givers, builders, and destiny-shapers.
Voices from Experience: Mrs Amadi Obidike
Reacting to this, 65-year-old Mrs Amadi Obidike shared her perspective: "Why compete to be on the same level with the people you give life to? A woman gives birth to a man, gives him existence, and then considers him worthy of competition? Isn't that the actual definition of losing yourself and giving up your birthright just to be equals? Men and women are not equals. One is a creator and the other is a product of that creator's creation." She emphasized that women should see themselves as creators, bestowed with honor by God, and focus on nurturing rather than competing.
Juliana Adeniran on Glass Ceilings
Juliana Adeniran added to the discussion, stating: "Women seem to constantly forget who they really are and their roles in a world where they were handed everything on a platter of gold by God. They dwell more on challenges and constantly lament rather than taking charge of the people they created." She argued that the so-called glass ceilings are often created by women themselves, and they should instead focus on raising properly brought-up children to make society livable.
Housewife as a Career Path: Mrs Tolani Olowolayefe's Story
Growing up, 45-year-old Mrs Tolani Olowolayefe always wanted to be a wife before considering any other career. She recalled: "When I was seven, my teacher asked what we wanted to become. I said I wanted to be a wife married to a rich man. My teacher laughed, saying housewife is not a career, but I told her it is, because my mother called herself a 'full-house-wife'." Her mother, though educated in Mathematics and Statistics, chose to be a homemaker, raising four children with discipline and care. Mrs Olowolayefe, now a medical doctor, struggles to balance her career with motherhood, often fearing she might miss out on her children's upbringing.
Anabel's Determination as a Young Housewife
Anabel, a 30-year-old housewife by choice and mother of two, plans to start a business when her children grow up. Until then, she is determined to be readily available for her family. She said: "If I go out to work every day, who will help me take care of these children? A house help? There is no way I can afford to leave the destiny of children in the hands of a stranger." Her decision stems from her own childhood, where her parents' absence led to challenges for her siblings, and she vows not to repeat history.
Chinenye Ojukwu: A Working Single Mother's Perspective
Chinenye Ojukwu, a pharmacist and single mother of two, believes profitability in parenting is a question of effort. She said: "I work and I raise my children alone. I do it by asking for help here and there. Whatever time I have away from work is a treasure that I never hesitate to bequeath to my children." She emphasizes that with determination, women can navigate both work and motherhood successfully.
In conclusion, the role of housewives in shaping a well-nurtured generation cannot be overstated. Whether through full-time homemaking or balancing careers, these women contribute significantly to building a sane and prosperous society, echoing the 'Give To Gain' ethos of nurturing for future success.
