HOUSEWIVES of today are overwhelmed by the double duties of running a home and bringing up the children - almost single-handed. Sad to say, the husbands are doing little to help.
This was the conclusion reached at a recent seminar on 'Effective Parenting', organised by the Children and Youth Centre of the YMCA (Hong Kong). The event was part of the YMCA's recent Easter Family Fun Fair.
Vivien Lai Siu-wai, section manager of the Family Life Enhancement and Outreach Centre of the YMCA (Hong Kong), summed up that Hong Kong's housewives were 'under-appreciated' and vulnerable to 'housewife depression'.
She revealed the startling statistic that on average Hong Kong fathers spend only six minutes a day with their children, leaving the task of 'bringing up the family' to their wives entirely. Even worse, some mothers have to give up full-time jobs for the sake of the family.
Despite the great personal sacrifice made by mothers, most people see the housewife's job as inferior to other 'professions' in society.
'That's why some of the mothers I have counselled suffered from 'housewife depression'. They experienced great frustration but did not get help and guidance to deal with it.
'I suggest that these mothers enrich their social life by forming mother-groups - to share their feelings about parenting and also to take time off their families and enjoy themselves.' It was also recommended that fathers took a serious look at their responsibilities as the 'male role model' for their children.
