by Veena Krishnan

Created on: March 22, 2010   Last Updated: March 23, 2010

I do not think feminism has assisted in the breakdown of family values. In fact I don't believe there is a breakdown of family values.

Women have taken on additional roles besides the traditional role of homemaker and child caregiver. They are seen outside the four walls of the home either gainfully employed, doing volunteer work, or even taking care of a household chore like paying the electricity bill. This has come about because she is educated, capable of going out of the house, and confident in interacting with outsiders. She is considered to be intelligent, and her talents and skills are respected.

I was proud of the fact that my mother, who had studied up to school level, was able to take care of the bank work, paying the various household bills, and taking us children to the shop for our clothes shopping, which my father would find extremely boring. My grandmother would tell us that she could never have even dreamed of going out with the children if not accompanied by my grandfather. She wasn't considered to be capable of using the public transport or being safe with so many strangers around. Such attitudes have changed and women are encouraged to get educated and pursue careers of their choice.  

With the woman’s changing role in society and getting the respect she is due, the man’s traditional role also has undergone change. More men are seen helping with the household chores, child care, and child rearing. Many men pride themselves in being able to handle their newborn babies and changing their nappies. They are seen more often in the kitchen washing up or cooking, giving a totally new meaning to gender roles. They are interacting with women in their workplace quite often as colleagues, which further enhances their respect for women.

With attitudes changing all around, new family values are added and the old family values are being altered to suit the new attitudes. If the mother is not at home when the child returns from school, then alternative arrangements such as child minder or creche are made. Traditional life styles are changing to adapt to the changing pace of life. Families are planning holidays where they are spending quality time together. Children are encouraged to help with the household chores, and they are becoming more independent. They are growing up in an atmosphere where they learn to respect their mother's contributions in household affairs.

If by feminism we mean the changing role of the woman, then traditional values that encouraged the suppression of women definitely need to break down. But changing family values to accommodate present day needs does not mean the breakdown of old ones.

Learn more about this author, Veena Krishnan.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.