Recently, I watched the reboot of the Charlie’s Angels franchise, which follows the first two movies. It left a strong impression on me as a father of two daughters. The film showcases the strength and resilience of women, which I deeply appreciate. In today’s world, where male superiority can still be prevalent, it’s crucial for my daughters to see that they can be strong, capable, and independent.
Balancing Empowerment with Traditional Roles
While I value these empowering messages, I feel the movie might overemphasize women empowerment and overshadow other important roles, like homemaking. The film makes a male Bosley the villain and relegates male characters to support roles. This contrasts sharply with the earlier movies where Charlie—a male—led the Angels. They even made Charlie female, using a voice changer to symbolize a shift in the narrative’s power dynamics.
Though it’s inspiring to see women portrayed as powerful and independent, I believe it’s also important to recognize the value of traditional roles like managing a home.
The Proverbs 31 Woman: Blending Tradition with Modern Aspirations
The Proverbs 31 woman—a figure in the Bible who embodies strength, wisdom, and industriousness both inside and outside the home—comes to mind. This ancient passage blends seamlessly with today’s progressive philosophy. The Proverbs 31 woman isn’t a relic of “dark ages values”; instead, she represents a timeless example of how women can be nurturing and strong, managing their households with dignity while also engaging actively in their communities.
Cultural Context and Personal Reflections
Balancing these ideas is tricky for me because, as a Chinese, my culture is quite patriarchal. Even my wife, who is Filipino, grew up with the expectation that women should handle housework. Despite these cultural norms, I want my daughters to have the freedom to choose their paths. Whether they build careers or focus on homemaking, I hope they find spouses who will support them fully. If they choose to stay home and be homemakers, I want them to be with someone who respects that choice and supports them by being a capable breadwinner.
Celebrating Diverse Roles: A Personal Example
I see this balance daily in my wife, who is an award-winning blogger and writer here in Bacolod. She excels in her career while also finding deep joy and fulfillment in being a homemaker. Her success both at work and at home is something I truly admire. In a society where people sometimes say, “I’m just a housewife,” or in Filipino, “Housewife lang ako,” it’s easy to overlook the importance and honor of this role.
As a father, I want to teach my daughters that homemaking deserves respect. It’s not a “just” role—it’s a vital part of family life. However, I also want them to avoid feeling confined by stereotypes suggesting they only belong in the home. It’s about finding balance: homemaking is one valuable path, but they should know they can choose other roles as well.
Encouraging Conversation: Your Thoughts?
Should I encourage them to embrace homemaking with pride, or should I focus more on broader career aspirations? How do you navigate these discussions with your children or in your own life? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences. Let’s start a conversation about how to empower the next generation while respecting diverse roles.
