It’s truly a sad day when men start wearing skirts

Matriarchy is not a new concept in our society. In fact in several homes the mother traditionally rules the roost. “Just wait till your father comes home”, is a threat which all of us have heard knowing fully well that while Daddy may actually whack our butts, it is mom whom we have to watch out for. Yet, our mothers have managed to balance this equation, wielding a quiet behind the scenes power while remaining feminine, compliant  and subservient to her Lord & Master at the same time.

Yesterday I actually saw a role reversal for the first time in action – where the father was an “intermittently employed actor and a hands-on Dad” while the mother was the “Power Lady” bringing home the bacon. Power ladies with husbands who lag behind in both ambition and status are not a new phenomenon either – the Queen of England is a prime example of a powerful lady who had no option but to marry the man she did simply because there was no one who could match her in status. Similarly, there are several powerful corporate CEO’s who have house husbands, happily dusting shelves and picking up the kids while the mother climbs up the ladder. The choice of a spouse is purely personal so who am I to judge?

Still, yesterday I actually felt uncomfortable when I saw Daddy literally play Mommy. While it was obvious he would help them change after their swim, I was quite taken aback when he actually played ball with his boys on the field in much the same way a mother would keep her children entertained when in company. Similarly over dinner, the little fellow was looked after by his father who clucked over him like a mother hen, patting his back, ruffling his hair and feeding him while Mommy was busy talking.

With more and more women entering the work force, it is to be expected that they won’t find a fitting husband  but surely Power Lady can prevent her husband from wearing a skirt? Even if there are no grandparents to play nursemaid, there is no need to reduce a husband to looking after home and hearth :  Power Lady can definitely employ a maid to do her task!