The Kitchen or Parliament?
A Humorous Dialogue on Women in Politics
By Plutonix
In this playful dialogue, the legendary philosopher Socrates engages in a lively discussion with his old friend Cephalus on the age-old question of women’s roles in society. The two explore whether women are truly confined to the kitchen, or if they possess the ability to excel in leadership positions—perhaps even surpassing men in various fields. With the upcoming elections in Mauritius as the backdrop, the conversation humorously examines the possibility of a woman rising to the highest political office in the country.
Socrates: Ah, Cephalus! My old friend! I must ask you a question that has been gnawing at me more fiercely than a Spartan warrior at an all-you-can-eat buffet. Do you think women are confined to the kitchen, or can they do as much, or even better, than men in most fields?
Cephalus: (laughs) Socrates, my dear philosopher, it seems you’ve been thinking too much again! But isn’t it true that for centuries, women have been seen as the guardians of the kitchen, masters of the mop, and the rulers of the rolling pin?
Socrates: Indeed, that is the tradition. But let me ask you this: if a tradition is outdated, should we continue it just because it’s old? I mean, we don’t still believe that the earth is flat, right? (pauses) …Well, most of us don’t, anyway.
Cephalus: Touché, Socrates! But surely you must admit that women have a natural knack for managing the household. They’re nurturing, caring, and—let’s be honest—who else can find a lost sock faster than a woman?
Socrates: A fair point, Cephalus. But tell me, does the ability to find a sock disqualify someone from finding, say, a solution to national debt? Or from leading a country? After all, if they can manage a household budget with one income, three kids, and a cat that eats like a lion, surely, they can manage a national budget, no?
Cephalus: (chuckles) I see where you’re going with this, Socrates. But let’s not forget that men have historically been the leaders, the generals, the ones who charge into battle. Surely that counts for something.
Socrates: Ah, yes, the glorious charge into battle. But Cephalus, let me remind you that charging into battle often results in one thing: a lot of noise, followed by a lot of mess. Women, on the other hand, know how to clean up the mess—and sometimes, it’s the mess left by men’s decisions. Don’t you think it’s time we let them skip the cleaning and go straight to making the decisions? Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 9 August 2024
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