For quite some time, there have been arguments, debates and heated conversations on who is a better home manager.
There are two schools of thought in this matter. While some believe that this matter is not debatable, that women are better home managers, others believe that what a woman can do, a man can also do and even better. The debate continues.
Some people believe women are naturally more nurturing, organised and multitasking, making them well-suited for households and that they often take on caregiving roles, prioritising family needs and maintaining household routines.
On the other hand, some see men as better home managers who can be effective, bring different strengths such as problem-solving, financial management and decision-making, providing stability and leadership in the home.
While the debate continues, Lifestyle took the matter to the public domain to check people’s views. Speaking on the issue, one Moses Ndukauba in Asaba, Delta State capital, said that the issue cannot be contested that women are better home managers than men because men have no time for the home. “They (men) jump in and out of the house while the women take care of the home front.’’
He said that women are specially created by God to take care of the homes as home managers, adding ‘’the truth is that men cannot do what women can do. Do you know that women are stronger than men in so many respects?’’ he asked.
Continuing, Mr Ndukauba said, ‘’Just watch the women and you ask yourself where women get the stamina and wisdom to do some of the things they engage in’’ adding ‘’it is God’s making for women to be better home managers.’’
Talking further, Moses, who is a retired civil servant, said, ‘’Some men just open their mouth to say that whatever a woman does, a man can equally do. Can men give birth to children?” adding ‘’It is a funny world and God made it so, and it is unfortunate that many people are now challenging God”
On whether he can have a joint bank account with his wife, the man paused and said it is based on individual differences, adding that though women do not joke with money, with understanding couples can decide to operate a joint bank account.
He stated that a joint account can be beneficial for couples as it promotes financial transparency and financial responsibilities, adding that it is essential for couples to discuss and decide what works best for their relationship and financial situation.
He noted that a joint bank account is not necessary because of one partner being a better manager, adding that it depends on what the couple want and their financial goals.
Also speaking on the same matter, an entrepreneur in Asaba, Cordelia Johnson, said that by focusing on some essential skills and qualities, individuals can become effective home managers, regardless of gender. She said that the effectiveness of a home manager depended on individual qualities, skills and strengths rather than gender and that both men and women can excel in this role and be successful home managers.
Cordelia said that neither men nor women are inherently better managers, but that research suggests that women often excel in communication, emotional intelligence, empathy, and teamwork, while men often excel in strategic thinking, decision making and problem solving.
She, however, pointed out that these are general trends and not absolute differences and that individuals vary widely, adding that the best managers adapt to their team’s needs.
Mrs Johnson noted with satisfaction that recent reports showed that women now make up around 36 per cent of CEOs in Nigeria’s major banks, with 10 out of 25 major banks led by women, adding that this shift reflects a growing trend of female leadership in the industry.
Without mentioning specific areas, she said that there are many areas where the women have overtaken the men such as in administration, education, finance and many more areas which were exclusively for men, adding that ‘’with time, women will surely overtake the men in other areas if the trend continues and this does not stop them from being the African women which they have always been if the bias against them is reduced or removed entirely.’’
The debate over whether men or women make better home managers continues with varying perspectives. However, from whatever way and perspective one looks at it, it is clear that home management depends on individual qualities, skills and strengths rather than gender. Both men and women can excel in the quest for better home management. Gender is not the major factor.
