House husbands can save marriages: HC

The Madras High Court has declared that the term 'homemaker' applies to both men and women, emphasizing that husbands assuming household responsibilities could potentially preserve marriages and families. The court delivered this statement while granting a divorce by mutual consent to a couple in the medical profession whose relationship had become irreparable, as reported by the TOI.

A division bench comprising Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice M D Sumathi made this observation, asserting that domestic duties should be accorded the same importance as earning a livelihood. The judges further noted that evolving career aspirations among women have impacted marital dynamics and recommended that more men could adopt the role of homemakers.

The court highlighted that traditional family setups typically assigned the duty of income generation to husbands, while wives managed the household chores. However, they observed that this role distribution has shifted over the past five decades as women have increasingly become career-focused. The judges also drew a contrast between Indian and Western family structures, emphasizing that within Indian culture, the family unit, not the individual, serves as the fundamental foundation.

Judges pointed out that the challenges many women face in balancing professional aspirations with married life, particularly within the IT sector and other professions, are taking a toll on relationships. They noted that marriage has become an impediment to career prospects for career-oriented women, leading them to avoid marriage altogether.

The number of unmarried women has been on the rise, and the court suggested that if more men were willing to take on domestic responsibilities, it could alleviate some of these issues and facilitate women's pursuit of careers without bearing the primary domestic burden.

The bench also addressed the evolving perception of homemaking. While women in the past introduced themselves confidently as housewives, some now exhibit embarrassment when using the term. The court clarified that being a housewife is not a stigma and neither should women feel ashamed of it. By recognizing and giving equal standing to domestic work alongside professional employment, the court aimed to promote a more balanced understanding of family roles.