Feminist often claim that women are not free in what they call as Patriarchal system of family. Marriage to them imposes the obligation of being the care-giver on the woman. The work of a house-wife according to them is bondage which is worse than serfdom. Hence women need to be liberated
But a careful examination of the situation proves otherwise. Marriage also imposes on the man the role of Protector and Provider. A man is obliged to support his wife financially. In case he fails to do so because he is jobless, convalescing from serious/terminal illness or old age, he can be arrested and put behind bars.
Even after divorce a man is obliged to pay life-long maintenance to his estranged wife till the time she remarries. A huge lump-sum amount may be paid in lieu of life-long alimony.
Even where the wife has deserted the husband‘s company and put him behind bars, the husband has to pay maintenance to his wife (called interim maintenance). The irony is that a part of it is used for suing him in law court. He has to pay even though the wife has left him without anybody to look after his home or hearth or that he is deprived of his legitimate right to have coitus. The situation may continue for years together without any end in sight, thanks to our law courts.
This is real bondage. If true equality is to be established, between man and women, Man must be freed from his role of as protector and provider. Maintenance must be quid-pro-quo for a woman’s company and her role as a care giver. In case she refuses to fulfil her obligation, she should be punished for dereliction of duty and deprived of right to maintenance.
Save Bengali Family 