The idea that running a household is primarily a woman’s responsibility came under scrutiny before the Madras High Court, which said men should also be willing to take on the role of homemakers.
A Division Bench of Justices GR Swaminathan and MD Sumathi made the observation while deciding a matrimonial dispute involving an estranged doctor couple.
The Bench stressed that the term “homemaker” is inherently gender-neutral and pointed out that the economic contribution of those managing households has previously been recognised by the Supreme Court.
“If there can be housewives, there can be house husbands also. Let this become a new normal,” the Court observed, adding that such an approach could help strengthen marriages and families.
Court questions traditional division of roles
The Court noted that Indian families have traditionally operated around a division in which the husband earned the income while the wife managed domestic responsibilities. It said both forms of contribution deserved equal recognition.
The Bench also remarked on the changing perception of homemaking. While women once commonly identified themselves as housewives without hesitation, the Court observed that some now describe themselves as “just a housewife”, as though the role carried lesser value.
The judges said there was nothing demeaning about being a homemaker and suggested that changing social expectations should apply to men as well.
The Court also linked the discussion to the growing number of women pursuing professional careers. It observed that demanding careers, particularly in sectors such as information technology and other professions, can create tensions within marriages when domestic responsibilities are not shared.
According to the Bench, some career-oriented women may view marriage as an obstacle to professional advancement and consequently choose not to marry.
The Court said one possible way of addressing this imbalance could be for husbands to take responsibility for the home.
Matrimonial dispute involved professional couple
The observations arose from cross-appeals filed by a doctor couple challenging a family court decision. The family court had rejected both the wife’s plea seeking restoration of marital life and the husband’s divorce petition alleging cruelty.
The High Court found that the couple’s relationship had deteriorated over the years.
The wife, a dentist, had remained with her parents and cared for the couple’s two children while her husband pursued advanced qualifications in cardiology.
According to the Court, the arrangement had continued for years, including during the COVID-19 period. The situation changed after the husband, having completed his professional training, expressed a desire to move away from the home shared with his in-laws.
The Bench observed that the wife’s own education and professional opportunities had suffered as she concentrated on raising the children and supporting the family while her husband advanced his career.
The judges said the contribution made by the wife to the household should have been acknowledged, particularly given the sacrifices involved in enabling her husband’s professional development.
₹2.5 crore settlement offered
During the proceedings, the husband offered a financial settlement of ₹2.5 crore, which the wife accepted.
The High Court concluded that the marriage had broken down irretrievably and granted divorce subject to the settlement being honoured.
The husband was directed to deposit ₹1.5 crore into the wife’s bank account within three months. A further ₹50 lakh each was directed to be deposited in the names of the couple’s two minor children within the following year.
The Court’s broader message was that household work should not be assigned a lower status based simply on whether it is performed by a man or a woman. In its view, treating homemaking as a gender-neutral role could also reshape how couples divide professional and family responsibilities.