MARFAM’S WEEKLY E-NEWSLETTER 21 AUGUST 2024

The very way in which this question is phrased speaks of bias.  When it comes to jobs men are at the forefront.  But when considering running a household,  surely the saying should be the best person for this job is a woman. Then immediately and automatically a male view is not starting the starting point; it is a neutral question.

Throughout this Women’s month in SA I have been feeling pretty frustrated.   Not that I don’t appreciate the reality of a male-dominated leadership in business, industry and the church, as well as the the up-hill battle for women plus the achievements a growing number of women is making. What I cannot appreciate or understand is the constant refusal to use a more holistic view of society, one where men and women are in a complementary relationship, but especially the reality of the family context. This is our basic reality, part of our identity, whether we are at home or at work or at the gym.  We’re not only mothers and fathers, wives or sons and daughters when we are at home. Maintaining the social cohesion and a positive social setting for these all-important relationships should be a priority whether we’re sitting on a board of directors, or in the driving seat of a passenger liner or Pik-it-up van. And it will have to include both women and men in planning and implementing a fully-functioning society that is conducive to having and forming children with a compassionate and holistic view of all of society, as well as all of creation I b4elieve that the girls and boys of today are orphaned and suffering while their adults are at war over equality,   Is teenage pregnancy and drug abuse not a consequence of this.   

The letter to Women of St John Paul II for me still expresses a correct and helpful view and I once again include some quotes in my weekly reflection as I have done regularly over the last 30 years.    

Excerpts from LETTER OF POPE JOHN PAUL II
TO WOMEN, on 4th World Conference on Women, Beijing, 1995 

I would like to speak directly to every woman, to reflect with her on the problems and the prospects of what it means to be a woman in our time. In particular I wish to consider the essential issue of the dignity and rights of women, as seen in the light of the word of God. This “dialogue” really needs to begin with a word of thanks. 

Thank you, women who are mothers! You have sheltered human beings within yourselves in a unique experience of joy and travail. This experience makes you become God’s own smile upon the newborn child, the one who guides your child’s first steps, who helps it to grow, and who is the anchor as the child makes its way along the journey of life.

Thank you, women who are wives! You irrevocably join your future to that of your husbands, in a relationship of mutual giving, at the service of love and life.

Thank you, women who are daughters and women who are sisters! Into the heart of the family, and then of all society, you bring the richness of your sensitivity, your intuitiveness, your generosity and fidelity.

Thank you, women who work! You are present and active in every area of life-social, economic, cultural, artistic and political. In this way you make an indispensable contribution to the growth of a culture which unites reason and feeling, to a model of life ever open to the sense of “mystery”, to the establishment of economic and political structures ever more worthy of humanity.

Thank you, consecrated women! Following the example of the greatest of women, the Mother of Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word, you open yourselves with obedience and fidelity to the gift of God’s love. You help the Church and all mankind to experience a “spousal” relationship to God, one which magnificently expresses the fellowship which God wishes to establish with his creatures.

Thank you, every woman, for the simple fact of being a woman! Through the insight which is so much a part of your womanhood you enrich the world’s understanding and help to make human relations more honest and authentic………………….

To answer my original question.  There is something horribly wrong with the statement about the man, the women and the best job. The best person for any job is the one most suited by nature, qualities and competence.  And not a few of these do have a gender connection, maybe even a bias.  As always, there is work to be done.    

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY 21 AUGUST : WORK

August 21.  Work.  The speaker began, “Equal work for equal pay,” is a popular slogan and goes to the heart of much of the gender question today.  “But should there be rules about the type of work men and women can do?“  “Women cannot or would not necessarily want to do hard physical labour. Are we not built differently physically and mentally to work differently too?” Other relevant points were raised but again the conclusion was that it had to do with balance and attitudes.  “It even starts at home with the way we teach our kids, boys and girls, about money and give them pocket money or expect them to contribute their time to making things work in the family.”  “And not necessarily in stereotypical ways,” Robert added.  Everyone was encouraged to go and discuss the issue further with their children at home.

Reflect, share, scripture:  The kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard.  Matt 20:1-16. Pope Francis. Masculinity and femininity are not rigid categories A rigid approach does not help children to appreciate genuine reciprocity.  Taking on domestic chores or some aspects of raising children does not make a man any less masculine or imply failure, irresponsibility or shame.   AL 286.  ACTION AND PRAYER.  Review together your family’s attitude and actions around the issue of work.