Women′s Health

Women′s Health And Wealth

We live in a highly materialistic society. Everything is valued in terms of its economic utility or value. Sadly in the case of humans too we tend to measure the economic utility or value of the individual. Though most people may not agree with this, the fact remains that the individual who is economically independent and earning is given respect and due position in the family.

Traditionally women have not been working or rather pursuing careers and jobs in order to earn money. The traditional role has always been of man being the provider and the woman taking care of the home and family. Men go out to work and earn money and women do all the domestic chores and labor at home. When we look at the value and role played by man and woman, we find that the woman gives a lot more in all respects when compared to man. Women take on all the burdens of the household, bear children, go through all the hardships and struggle to maintain the family together. In doing so they put up with every physical, mental and emotional challenge and rise above the circumstances. In fact in most of the families, it is the sacrifice made by the mother that provides for a better future for her children and the family. A family can manage without a father but it is very difficult to manage without a mother figure. It is the mother who is largely responsible for the upbringing and value system of the children in the society.

Despite being the most useful person, women are not given the due importance in the family as compared to men. In the male driven communities and societies, women′s role is confined to the kitchen. They do not have a say in any matter related to their family, relationship or the property etc. Until recently the inheritance was always passed on to the male heir and female children were left out in conservative societies. Even today women are not given an equal opportunity to education or health.

The status of women beyond sixty years of age is pitiable in most of the societies. Physically weak and in need of care, these women are often ignored and neglected by the family. They are looked upon as a burden rather than as a valuable member of the family. The attention accorded to such senior women in the family also depends upon her economic value and inheritance if any. In most of the poor and developing countries, women would have suffered economically to give a better future to their children and thus end up growing old with no savings. The sacrifices made by the woman are forgotten quickly and she is looked upon as a burden.

Statistics show a significant increase in the health problems of women who are senior citizens. The problems faced by women in old age are not limited to physical health but they suffer from lack of emotional support and loneliness too.

In the modern day society, the trend is changing. Both men and women are working and earning money. Therefore the chances of women being economically independent is much higher in the years to come. But then there is also the trend of parents staying alone or at old age homes and not with their children. Women are always at the receiving end in all stages of life. When we talk of women′s health and say that the modern day healthcare has improved quality of women′s life, does it mean much?. Women′s health has many facets and dimensions. Unless and until we change the rules of the game in society with regard to gender equality, we cannot do much to improve women′s health.