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Breaking stereotypes: The stories of Indonesian househusbands
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Quality time: Some househusbands enjoy that the domestic role allows them to spend more time with their families. (Unsplash/Gita Krishnamurti) (Unsplash/Gita Krishnamurti)
T
em>The term “househusband” isn’t exactly common among Indonesians. But the unconventional role is being adopted by more and more men, even though they must struggle against gender stereotypes and, sometimes, their own egos.
While societies often regard the husband as a family’s breadwinner, more and more couples are defying these traditional gender norms – some by choice, others because of life circumstances.
Jonas, who chose to use a pseudonym for this article, is a 57-year-old man from Bekasi, West Java, who doesn’t mind being called househusband, a role he has held for over a decade now. After working for some time as a businessman, he had to quit due to health issues.
“My recovery period was erratic. Sometimes I felt okay, and other times I felt ill again. So I decided not to work anymore and began taking care of the household,” he said.
The task of caring for his two children now falls into his hands, while his wife, who is a civil servant, goes to the office.
“After my morning prayers, I cook, clean the house, drive my wife to work, shop for groceries, make lunch, clean the house, then pick up my wife,” he said, adding that he always made sure to “take a little break” in the afternoon.
Jonas said being a househusband was his “own choice”. But at first, some opposed the decision, including his wife and certain other family members.
