It wasn't productive !

Office over, drove down to caltrain station to pick up one of my undergrad batchmates who was visiting Bay Area from Banagalore . With the mushrooming of IT industry, its a rarity if any Bangalorian doesnt have US visa on his passport.

Meeting old college mates has its own charm. We got some delicious Hyderabadi biryani and over a couple of beers, started conversing about college life. Professors, batch mates, hostel pranks, girlfriend(s), ragging...all got discussed. And then the topic veered towards todays women.

We both were discussing the progress today`s women have made, how they are handling professional as well as personal lives so well, and are making contributions no lesser than men. We both admired their feats, their achievements. Amidst all this , he mentioned something....

'Compared to today`s generation, I think our moms and aunts just wasted their lives. It wasnt productive at all. They weren't skilled enough.....' Phew...that acted as a spoiler. I didn't say anything, but was left with my thoughts once he was gone....

Admire present, but dont forget the contributions of past. And whats your definition of skills sir ? Since I cant give others` example, Ill tell you how my mom`s life wasn't productive! My dad has four sisters, and when my mom came into the family it was a big family with dadaji, daadiji also there. First few years of her life went in adjusting with the in-laws , seeing our buas married, rest was spent in taking care of her three kids, making sure that all the desires of the kids supersede hers. And once we grew up, health problems started with dadaji-dadiji and since then she is making sure they are taken care of. She has not been able to go out of station for more than a week or two in the least 4-5 years because of their health issues. Not to mention she has supported dad so well throughout.

Imagine holding such a big family together for more than 30 years, and yes I agree with you it doesn't require any skills. Living with so many egos, day in and day out, losing your identity, so as to make sure every one else around you is ok, doesn't require any skills. Sir, how many of your skilled women (and men) of today (and of yesteryears) will be willing and able to do this for even 3 months ?

And sir, that you are sitting today here in the States as an educated, balanced ,admired individual who didnt spend his childhood in day care, or a boarding school, who grew up in a full family with granddad, grand mom all around, thats her productivity.

Go measure it.