Women must stay at home

Since time immemorial, women have been honoured with the twin tasks of raising children and maintaining a clean and comfortable home.

Generally, they have proven themselves ideal as mothers and housewives and as such, it is detrimental, if not fatal, to the family to engage them in any other vocation.

Women involved in politics, commerce or industry, are faced with keen competition from their tougher and often more capable male counterparts. In addition, they have to withstand the pressures and meet the ever-rising demands of the professional world.

Furthermore, with traffic congestion and crowded buses, surely by the time they arrive home, they are sapped of their energy.

All they want is to rest. Consequently, apartments are left untidy, meals uncooked, dishes unwashed and children unkempt.

More serious is the problem of the children's troubles not being listened to. Husbands are neglected.

How can a woman be the attentive mother, the gentle wife, the romantic lover and the tough-minded, devoted professional? The outcome is either a shattered marriage and broken home or an unsuccessful career - sometimes both.

However, if women remain at home, they will be able to concentrate on the healthy development of their children.

'The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.' This is a true saying.

Many wise and famous personalities in the world owe much to their mothers for their later successes in life.

A mother at home gives the child a sense of security. He knows he has the unwavering support of his mother, who can share his joys and sorrows.

A wife in home keeps the house spick and span and makes it an inviting home to return to. It is said that behind every successful man is a woman. Often, that woman is the wife. She listens, encourages, offers advice and help, and works quietly beside him to surmount the obstacles together.

A woman can be the loving mother and supportive wife if she does not divide her time and energy between home and the professional world outside.

HUNG MAN-WO RAYMOND New Territories