Beyond the Glass Ceiling: The True Power of Women at Home

 

Since the dawn of civilization, women have faced structured, sustained, and deep-rooted prejudice and discrimination. Although history offers sporadic examples of women outshining men, it is only in the last few decades that women have scaled unprecedented heights — smashing the proverbial glass ceiling with spirit and determination. Yet, despite these significant gains and growing emancipation, many biases persist, especially against women who are dismissively labelled housewives — a term that, belatedly and grudgingly, is being replaced with the more respectful and gender-neutral home maker.

 

For as long as I can remember, I have been a strong votary for the right to equal opportunity.

 

Growing up in a family of strong women — women of substance — deeply shaped my worldview. My mother, an educator for more than four decades, positively influenced the lives of generations of girls. Her dedication instilled in me a deep admiration for women in all walks of life, and over the years, I have come to appreciate that the skills required to manage a home and family are every bit as demanding as those taught in prestigious business schools. The seemingly mundane chores often involve the same strategic thinking, emotional intelligence, and organisational mastery found in corporate boardrooms.

 

If one example were needed to support this view, it would be my wife, Sonia — and I say this in the truest sense, not as a metaphor.

 

Among her many strengths is a remarkable ability to conduct interviews and assess personalities, skills she applies with precision when hiring household help. Beyond screening, she negotiates terms of employment with a working knowledge of employee relations — a process handled with patience, fairness, and equanimity. These are not incidental talents, but competencies honed through experience and insight.

 

When our daughter, Mehak, was young, Sonia helped her with homework and exam preparation with the expertise of an accomplished teacher. It is no surprise, then, that Mehak has gone on to become an orthopaedic surgeon. At home, Sonia doubles as a diet planner and an informal medical advisor, ensuring our family’s well-being with a blend of care and practical knowledge.

 

Shopping for everyday essentials becomes an exercise in market intelligence. Sonia approaches it with analytical precision, securing the best deals while balancing quality and cost. To finalise purchases she deploys her bargaining skills with a sense of propriety and fairness — a rare combination of assertiveness and grace. The juggling required to balance the household budget demands a wide-ranging financial insight, including demand projection, procurement, and inventory management. These competencies are directly comparable to those taught in finance and operations courses at business schools.

 

Beyond routine tasks, Sonia’s role often morphs into that of a counsellor and community builder. When challenges arise in the neighbourhood, her level-headedness, empathy, and generosity come to the fore. She listens without judgement, offers perspective without patronising, and nurtures harmony with the compassion of a seasoned relationship counsellor.

 

This list of abilities is certainly not exhaustive. Yet, in a world that increasingly recognises formal qualifications and professional achievements, these forms of expertise — crafted in the crucible of daily life — remain under-acknowledged.

 

In the prevailing scenario, I believe three key steps can help better recognise and support such invaluable experience.

 

First, business schools should consider introducing advanced courses in home management — if they have not already — to give those who wish to pursue homemaking as a profession an opportunity to hone their skills before taking the plunge.

 

Second, these under-recognized but highly accomplished professionals should be invited as guest speakers for relevant courses and be featured as role models in case studies. Their lived experiences offer insights that textbooks alone cannot provide.

 

And last — but certainly not least — it is my sincere wish that Sonia one day dons the hat of a TEDx speaker to share her experiences with a wider audience — a day I am confident will come sooner rather than later.

 

APS MALHOTRA

 

 

New Delhi