Question
I have a question regarding custom. We have heard that the duties of a woman in the house vary according to custom, but this is also based on the man's financial support. In the past, women did not leave the house and did not bear household expenses, and they were able to perform household chores. However, today, in some countries, the custom is that financial support is shared between the man and the woman. Yet, the man, while the woman bears half of the household chores, pressures and demands that the woman perform the household chores that were traditionally done by women who did not leave the house and did not bear the responsibility of financial support. Is it obligatory for the woman to perform household chores while bearing half of the expenses with the consent of her husband and the pressures of living conditions?
Answer
I say, and with God's help: If the spouses agree to share expenses due to working together, they should also share household chores, as this goes hand in hand, and all is based on mutual agreement. Otherwise, the woman should leave her job outside the home, and the man should bear all the expenses. And God knows best.