Part Ⅵ Writing (45 min)
In some developed regions in China, some women decide tostay at home to be a professional housewife because the familydoes not need a second cheque. Do you agree or disagree withsuch a choice? Write a composition of about 400 words to stateyour view.
In the first part of your essay you should state clearly your main argument, and in the second partyou should support your argument with appropriate details. In the last part you should bring whatyou have written to a natural conclusion or make a summary.
You should supply an appropriate title for your essay.
Marks will be awarded for content, organization, grammar and appropriateness. Failure to follow theabove instructions may result in a loss of marks.
Professional Housewife Is Not Favored by the Majority
The term “professional housewife” refers to a woman who decides to stay at home full-time aftermarriage. With the growing popularity of this practice, it has been put under the limelight andaroused more concerns from the public. An increasing number of people believe it is a personalchoice; however this opinion is also being questioned. Frankly speaking, I don’t think it is favoredby the majority of the public.
Firstly, Chinese people differ in cultural backgrounds from Koreans and Japanese, who tend to holdthat man is superior to woman. Although in Chinese history, women were oppressed and regardedas inferior, the founding of new China has lifted the ideological obstacles to the greatest extent.Today most women are working outside their homes not for the reason the family needs a secondcheck but to prove their personal worth. Though housework is meaningful, it is not paid and,what’s worse, it is not socially recognized. Therefore, being a full time housewife is not the favoritechoice for the majority of modern Chinese women.
Secondly, it is financially unwise for women to stay at home full time. Some well-off men may befond of a professional housewife, which will make a more comfortable and cozy home available,while the less wealthy men and families cannot afford such a luxury, since it will be very demandingto support the whole family with only one check. Both husband and wife have to take upresponsibility of breadwinners.
Thirdly, the majority of women will strongly object to it, especially the better-educated group.Having received concepts of self-esteem and economic independence, modern women tend to besell-reliant rather than dependent on anyone else, even their spouses. For one thing, it is a waste oftheir education and potentials; for another, they will not find it hard to adhere to boredom ofhouse chores and routines. They know that a professional housewife will be sneered and biased inthe community. A married woman IS a social being first who is supposed to fulfill their socialfunctions.
In conclusion, it is self-evident that the professional housewife will never gain ground in averageChinese families, for it leads to possible misunderstanding and social contempt towards women andmay pose a significant threat to independence of a human being.