The article ("Women in the workplace: S'pore 'falls behind in Asia'"; last Saturday) seems to suggest the need for greater gender balance in the workplace, and that more women should be in senior positions in companies.
This seems to equate gender equality in the workplace with societal success, while neglecting the different roles played by each gender in the family unit.
I know of many female university graduates and high-level executives who gave up their careers to become housewives. This is because they placed great importance not only on their children's academic needs, but also on their moral, social and health needs.
The disintegration of the family unit, rising divorce rates and children's lack of social skills nowadays can be attributed to the lack of parental guidance.
What is wrong with being a housewife?
The housewife plays an even more important role in society than the chief executive of a company.
We cannot rely entirely on schools to impart "soft" skills such as good manners and ethics to our children. Someone in the family, whether it is the father or the mother, should take on this responsibility.
I salute the mothers who, despite their education and careers, chose to be with their children. No duty is more sacred than this.
Sebastian Liew
*Article first appeared on ST Forums (25 Sep 2014)