During the 20 years of our new state’s history a lot of things have happened, which make me ashamed and a lot of things that I am proud of. Armenian women are in the second category. Those who have not left the country and have stayed inArmeniawith their families. Those who gave birth to a child and raised him by the light of kerosene lamp. Those who managed the whole household under the conditions of two-hour-a-day electricity. Those who cooked meal out of charity (by the way, rather bitter) oil and beans. Their contribution to our nation’s victory is not less than of those who fought and all of us should admire them.
Generally, when they talk about the so-called “gender” issues, sometimes they don’t take into consideration the fact that more duties are vested in women in traditional or “semi-traditional” societies like ours and we, men, usually pretend not to notice that. That inequality is in our interest, we are not able to solve those issues, which we have vested in women. The only thing we can do is to honestly thank and admire them – it doesn’t require huge efforts, does it?
We are inhibited in the issue of gender relations, as in many other issues. By the way, when I hear how boys and girls communicate with each other, it seems to me, however unusual it sounds, that the youth nowadays seem more inhibited (as they say, “kyart” /tough guy/), than we were in 1970s-80s. Whereas the Soviet regime did not offer many opportunities to express oneself. Perhaps, the total downfall of culture has played a certain role. Or perhaps the youth are just more conservative and traditionalist these days.
However, even the most rigorous traditionalist should not prevent us from full-heartedly praising women. One should not just drink to them around a table – it is often formal. It is more efficient to indulge them as much as we can, not fearing that they will get spoiled. On the contrary, we must long for that. I assure you that in that instance, personal happiness is guaranteed for you.
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ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
