On 8 March every year, several events take place all over the world to mark International Women’s Day. Nigeria is no different, and throughout March, several workshops, seminars, and conferences will celebrate women’s economic, political, and social achievements.
Traditional gender roles historically framed household income as women staying at home and looking after the children. The economic reality today requires a two-income family. Most families have to rely on income from both partners to meet family goals of educating children, living in a decent home, and planning for retirement.
President Barack Obama, on October 5, 2010, addressed the 2010 Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit in Washington, D.C., where he honored accomplished women from around the world. On that occasion, he stated that women make up half of America’s workforce and are primary or co-breadwinners in two-thirds of American families.
Earning Power
Women all over the world are earning more than ever before, and many of them contribute a significant share of household income, sometimes even serving as the primary breadwinner. This social phenomenon is bringing about profound changes and has financial, emotional, and psychological implications for both men and women, particularly in a patriarchal society such as ours with its traditional views of gender roles. Any role reversal can be destabilizing, and this trend can lead to frustration or resentment as an increasing financial burden is placed on women on the one hand and potentially bruised male egos on the other.
Generations of women have held the Proverbs 31 woman as their role model. She forms the perfect picture of a busy woman running her home, rushing to work, running a business, making investment decisions, and volunteering her time for charitable causes, whilst continuing to be the rock of her family, the exceptional wife and mother.
Even though she existed thousands of years ago, her approach to life and her finances is more relevant than ever for the 21st-century woman. Proverbs 31 offers a veritable guide to all women on what we can aspire to, and, with wisdom, determination, and focus, today’s woman is capable of making a success of both her home and her work.
This discussion focuses on the very practical financial lessons and concepts that come to the fore, which we can adopt and incorporate into our own lives.
Frugal
“She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.” Is prudent about her shopping and is quality-conscious. She values her customers, so she will go some distance to ensure that she gets value for money. We too can be frugal in our shopping and avoid impulse buying.
Invests wisely
“She considers a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard”. Apart from working to earn a living, she invests carefully. She not only plans for the short term but also understands and seeks the benefits of long-term investments and income. She contributes to the financial well-being of her household. In addition, she is reliable and dependable, and her husband trusts her and has full confidence in her ability to make the right day-to-day decisions and administer the family assets efficiently.
Plans ahead and is organized
“When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.” She plans ahead for a rainy day and is an organized, energetic woman who manages her time efficiently; she accomplishes more by starting her day early and carrying out her responsibilities with diligence and good cheer.
Is an entrepreneur
“She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.” “She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.” This woman runs a home-based business and has the business acumen to be a successful trader in the marketplace. An entrepreneur, her effort and industry supplement the family income.
Is talented and industrious
“She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.” Uses her creative talents to earn additional income to support her family. She is a wonderful example of diligence and industry. What talent have you been blessed with? With a little imagination and determination, you can put your talent to good use. You may be a great cook, have a special voice, or be a gifted tailor.
How can you develop these skills through diligent application to the point where they can increase your income, be of benefit to you, your family, or your community?
Is generous
“She extends her hand to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy.” She was generous in her giving; not only did she care for her family and domestic staff, but she also gave back to society and showed sensitivity and compassion for the poor and needy.
Keeps fit and strong
“She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong”. We get the impression of a woman who kept herself physically and mentally fit and well through exercise and an appropriate diet, going about her duties vigorously, as so many people depended on her.
Is Submissive
There are misconceptions about the word “submissive.” To many “modern” women, the word submissive has a negative tone about it as it connotes weakness. Yet, a truly submissive and God-fearing woman is not feeble; she is strong, capable, intelligent, resourceful, hardworking, and patient. She lays aside all negative connotations to rest and sees the ideals of submission not as subservience or as a threat to her identity, but rather as a partnership. It does not undermine her, her confidence, or her position in any way. There is no contest about who is “in charge.” She is her husband’s helper.
In exploring submission, one discovers that whilst it may not be an easy or a popular choice, it brings harmony to a home. It is the admission of dependence upon one another and an acceptance of our traditional roles.
It is far too easy to place the Proverbs 31 woman on a pedestal, as if trying to emulate her were an unattainable goal. Today’s woman has much to learn from this ancient biblical ideal. In examining the characteristics of this remarkable woman, as we navigate our diverse and complex lifestyles, juggling family, home, work, career, and business, let us see if we can come any closer to this ideal in our own lives as traditional gender roles evolve.
Written by Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, Lagosmums money management and financial specialist.
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Proverbs 31 and the 21st Century Woman
