The famous writer Esther Vilar states that men are generally raised to be slaves. To spend their whole lives working for an income to raise children in exchange for companionship with a woman.
She studied medicine and sociology before becoming a writer and has conducted research into the subject for over twenty years and stands beside her findings.
The African man is raised to become the head of the household. Our culture defines them as breadwinners and providers, only recently relegating the task of protector to the law.
This ingrains in men the mentality of proving themselves as worthy workers and earners in society. The old age adage that states 'no romance without finance' is a popular saying among our African ladies, with some even proclaiming that they do not love men only for their material wealth, but openly stating that they would not provide for men just because they "love" them.
A double standard? Maybe. The fact remains that men have to prove themselves, and have to spend hours working to provide for a family they rarely spend time with, and a house that ultimately belongs to the woman, for which man will openly attest to the fact that he loves decorating and cleaning, and buying household essentials and appliances?
Most African men relegate these tasks to the women in their lives. In an ever changing social paradigm, the roles have changed and most women are career driven.
The truth is that most men do not feel manly giving up the role of provider to women. So, are Esther's findings right, and are men ultimately raised to become slaves to the work environment just to provide for their families?