For generations, the roles of men and women were clearly defined and rarely questioned. Men were expected to be the breadwinners, venturing into the world to earn a living, while women were confined to the household, responsible for chores, raising children, and maintaining the family’s emotional fabric.

The social set up for long has led to rigidity in the think process. The stereotypes become deep rooted and not easy to break away. The beginning of change starts with how the sons and daughters are raised.

This traditional division of roles, however, is gradually dissolving with the advancement of modern values, progressive thought, and economic realities. In today’s world, women have emerged as an equal force in the professional realm, often matching or even surpassing men in talent, ambition, and capability.

Changing Times, Changing Needs

In an age where lifestyle aspirations have skyrocketed, and the cost of living continues to surge, it has become more of a necessity than a choice for women to step into the role of earners. Dual-income households are now the norm rather than the exception. Families are investing heavily in the education and empowerment of their daughters, with the belief that they can achieve anything they set their minds to. The glass ceiling is slowly but steadily cracking.

Daughters are now raised to dream big, to aspire, and to be financially independent—a value that not only builds confidence but also earns them respect, recognition, and most importantly, self-worth. Parents are leaving no stone unturned to ensure their daughters receive the best possible start in life.

Women as Pillars of Support

In today’s unpredictable economy, marked by frequent layoffs and instability, women are not just earning but often rescuing their families from financial crises. I personally know a couple in my housing society where the husband was out of work for several months. It was the wife’s income and determination that kept the family afloat. They lived with dignity, never once needing to ask for help. Their children’s education continued, the household ran smoothly, and their dreams remained intact—thanks to the strength of an independent woman.

This example is not an exception anymore—it’s a growing reality in urban India. Working women are increasingly contributing towards home loans, education, healthcare, and lifestyle improvements, transforming not only their families’ financial health but also the quality of life.

But this brings us to an important question: Are men contributing equally at the home front?

The Domestic Inequality

Despite the shift in professional roles, household responsibilities remain largely tilted in favour of women. A recent survey published in a widely circulated English daily revealed that a substantial percentage of women feel unsupported by their husbands at home.

Some recurring concerns include:

• Men rarely participate in household chores
• They are often disinterested or unhelpful in children’s education
• They struggle with tasks like managing maids or organizing the home

Take the example of a theatre artist and travel agent who shared her story. After returning from a long, tiring day of work, she finds the maid hasn’t shown up—and a sink full of dirty dishes awaits her. Her husband, who returned home earlier, simply ignored the mess.

Another working mother, a news anchor, admitted that her husband doesn’t help their children prepare for exams. “Homework and studies are the least of his concerns,” she said, visibly disappointed.

When asked why many men fail to contribute meaningfully at home, a common answer emerged: “They were never raised that way.”

The Root of the Problem

Many Indian men have grown up in households where they saw their mothers silently manage every domestic responsibility. These early experiences shape attitudes. Boys are often shielded from household tasks, while girls are trained in cooking, cleaning, and caregiving from a young age.

A jewellery designer shared her frustration: “When my husband cooks—on rare occasions—the mess he leaves behind is monumental. I spend more time cleaning than it took him to cook. He thinks his job ends with preparing a meal. But the real work starts after that.”

The crux of the issue lies in how sons are raised.

Raise Your Son Like a Daughter

To build a truly equal society, we must raise our sons the same way we raise our daughters—with life skills, empathy, and responsibility. Boys should be taught to cook, clean, do laundry, manage children, and value the invisible emotional labour that holds a home together.

This shift is not just about equality, it’s about survival, dignity, and mutual respect. A boy who learns how to share the load at home grows up to be a better husband, father, son, and citizen. He respects the work that women do and understands the value of emotional and physical labour.

If a woman can work long hours, commute, give presentations, and still come home to cook dinner—why can’t a man help with the dishes, homework, or bedtime stories? Why must household responsibility still be seen as a woman’s domain?

Raise Your Daughter Like a Son

At the same time, raising daughters with ambition and freedom must continue. They should be taught that financial independence is power, and that their worth is not defined by societal expectations but by their talent, resilience, and self-belief.

Let your daughters explore the world, take risks, and make mistakes. Teach them to be strong, but also allow them to be vulnerable. Make them fearless in boardrooms and grounded in their values.

The Future is Balanced

The future of families, relationships, and society depends on this balance. Men and women should be capable of taking each other’s place—not out of compulsion, but out of respect and understanding. In the present dynamics, equality should be practised in spirit and letter.

The responsibility lies with parents, educators, and society at large. Let us raise daughters like sons—and sons like daughters. Only then will we build a world where equality is not a buzzword, but a reality lived in everyday actions.

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