This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
Published on June 11, 2020, by MATHEWS SHIRIMA WASWA.
My culture taught me that the husband is the provider, while the wife is the caregiver. However, my experience as a house husband has taught me that this traditional view is not always applicable in today's world.
After graduating from university, I met my wife and we started life together. I was lucky to secure some casual jobs, while my wife opened a banana kiosk and later got employed by a Christian Charity Organisation. Her job boosted our economic status, but soon after, I became jobless.
My wife's busy schedule meant that I had to take care of our three-year-old child, and I officially became a house husband. This new role weighed heavily on me, as I felt threatened by the fact that I was not the one providing for the family.
However, I decided to adjust and accept the situation. I came to realize that I needed to strategize on how to utilize my time effectively, as I had to balance taking care of our child and job hunting. I drew a list of things I needed to do and allocated them timelines, which helped me avoid stress.
As a house husband, I took over some household tasks, such as cleaning the house, washing utensils, and preparing meals. I also ensured that our compound was clean and took our child out for nature walks and shopping.
My wife trusted me with her finances, and I made sure to manage them properly. We agreed on the shopping list before I went for shopping, and I did not spend any money outside of what we had agreed. In case of an emergency, I consulted her before making any decisions.
During this period, I also learned the importance of patience. Our marriage was not always rosy, and we had our bumpy times. However, I learned to be patient and wait for my time. Once our child was enrolled in baby class, I enrolled for part-time Master's classes, which kept me busy and helped me apply for numerous jobs online.
Today, I am holding a job that I secured through one of the interviews I attended. While it is essential to uphold our cultural beliefs, it is equally important to acknowledge that the world has changed, and men and women enjoy equal opportunities. Therefore, it is crucial for us to change our mindset and embrace changes as they come.
