How MCPs are Vctims and not Victimizers

Economics reverberates that efficiency lies in specialization - one should do what one's best at. It's amazing how the same funda applies to household chores. Just as an illustration - Consider a task - to cook omelets. "A" cooks great omelets and B doesn't...so economic theory says that A should take up the task for the economy to be efficient.

Long ago, work was physical in nature. The man, who had more brute force than the woman, specialized in running after animals, tilling the land, breaking stones etc. The woman, less strong, stuck to the softer chores. This had become a way of life. It is to be noted that economics doesn't consider the household chores as economic activity. Economic activity, at this point of time comprised of men’s brute force activities.

Then came the invention of the agricultural tools – work became physically easy for the man. As time progressed, more machines were invented. Work became less physical, and man’s core competency – the physical ability - started to diminish in importance. Men were thrown out of their comfort zone. This was a point where the lifestyle started changing. In other words, the men (and women) had a “Lifestyle Shock”. The shock-recovery process saw men fiddling with the softer chores and women trying their hands at the knowledge work – the economic activity. As time progressed, men and women shared both types of activities delineated by economic theory – the household activities and the economic activities. The basic theory still remained the same – people were still doing what they were best at.

Now, let us define the Male Household-Activity Involvement ratio as MHAI = Household Activity by men/Total Household Activity(Household Activity is measured in seconds). From “Long Ago” to now, this ratio has been on the upward trend, starting at near-zero. 0.5 is what the MHAI is tending to, over time. The MHAI, however, is significantly less than the ideal value of 0.5 at present (random observation of a perfectly sane mind). What does this mean?

Essentially, at present, there are still people (men and women) coming to terms with the Lifestyle Shock. Not long ago, men saw their fathers doing maximal economic activity and minimal household activity; women saw their mothers doing minimal economic activity and maximal household activity. While some of these men (and women) have adapted well to the changing times, some are still in the "Shock" phase. These people who couldn't adjust are suffering from an illness (Common symptoms of the illness include the use of brute force against the fairer sex by men, and the lack of interest in education for the women). They are the victims of changing times - they are sick. Unfortunately, it's really heartening that the male victims, who are obviously sick, are further victimized by the usage of a very hard-hitting phrase - Male Chauvinist Pig (MCP). This terminology doesn't make their adaptation easy - it complicates the matters.

Now, what exactly can a fellow human being do to make the transition of these victims easy? Firstly, one should refrain from using the phrase Male Chauvinist Pig (MCP). What if one calls the women undergoing the lifestyle shock - Female Petrified Owls (FPOs)? Hurts doesn’t it? Secondly, take time out and explain how the economic theory functions. Tell them that they have a Hobson's choice - Adapt or Perish! Thirdly, if the MHAI of your house is greater than or equal to 0.5, REJOICE, for there are no victims in your house! Lastly, pat me on my back whenever you manage to meet me. ;)