Does true prosperity live in your home?
You may know the saying, “Where women are honoured, there the gods dwell.” This line is not just religious — it is also a practical rule for a happy home.
Today, we often focus only on the house’s material needs. We forget the woman who makes the house a real home. We ignore her emotional needs and her right to respect. When women are insulted, the home loses peace and happiness. It is a hard truth, not just a sentence.
In this article, we will explore what disrespect toward women truly entails. We will see how it harms the whole family, especially the children. Most importantly, we will learn how to avoid this harm. We will find simple ways to bring back peace and make the home feel like a true haven.
Woman’s Disrespect- The Invisible Poison:
Many people think disrespect means only swearing or physical harm. But the truth is much broader and more serious. Disrespect can be silent — it may involve ignoring, insulting, or belittling a woman. It acts like an invisible poison that slowly spreads through the family. Over time, this negativity erodes relationships and disrupts peace within the household.
different types of disrespect:
Disrespect toward women can manifest in various ways that often go unnoticed.
- Verbal and emotional disrespect:
- Constant teasing, ignoring her opinions, speaking badly about her family, or mocking her appearance or work. Saying “What do you know?” harms her confidence.
- Economic disrespect:
- Forcing her to ask for money, blocking her job or business, taking control of her earnings, or denying her financial independence.
- Social disrespect:
- Humiliating her in front of friends or relatives, stopping her from going to social events, or controlling her social life.
- Excluding her from decisions:
- Deliberately leaving her out of important family choices (for example, children’s education or investments). It makes her feel unimportant.
- Devaluing her work:
- Treating housework as “not real work.” Saying “You stay at home all day — what do you do?” ignores her nonstop efforts.
When Disrespect Breaks a Home:
When a woman in the household is humiliated repeatedly, it harms her and everyone around her. The whole family pays the price. An unwanted atmosphere has taken hold in the home. This negativity affects daily life. Slowly, the family’s peace and happiness disappear.
1. Impact on Women’s Health:
- Mental health:
- Constant disrespect of women causes severe stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Therefore, she feels trapped and overwhelmed on the inside. Women who face emotional abuse may show symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). (Reference: NCBI)
- Physical health:
- Mental stress hurts the body, too. It can lead to high blood pressure, worsening diabetes, sleep problems, and digestive disorders. If the woman who cares for the home becomes ill, the whole family’s routine and stability are affected.
2. Significant impact on children:
The home is a child’s first school — they learn by watching.
- Behaviour problems:
- Children who see their mother disrespected may become more aggressive, irritable, or withdrawn. They might struggle to build healthy relationships with others.
- Wrong beliefs:
- A boy may learn that men should treat women that way and repeat it later. A girl may come to realise that she has to endure disrespect, which ultimately diminishes her self-confidence.
- Future relationships suffer:
- As adults, these children often face problems in marriage or emotional bonds. They may unconsciously recreate the same disrespect and stress in their own homes. It repeats harm across generations, which is called “intergenerational trauma.”
3. Distance Between Spouses:
Where there is no respect, love cannot survive. Constant disrespect kills communication between partners. Instead of care, they feel irritation, anger, and contempt. The home stops being a home and becomes a battlefield. Each person only tries to protect themselves. Emotional distance grows, and the marriage weakens.
Planting Seeds of Respect:
Start positive change by planting seeds of respect at home. It is possible to bring back the lost peace in the house. But this needs conscious, ongoing effort from everyone. Most importantly, the change should begin with the men in the family, starting with themselves.
1. Power of Listening:
Many issues arise due to poor communication or a complete lack of it.
- Active listening:
- Don’t just hear her — try to understand. Wait until she finishes. Don’t interrupt.
- Use “I” language:
- Instead of “You are always wrong,” say “When this happens, I feel hurt.” It helps the other person understand your feelings without getting defensive.
- Choose the right time:
- Talk about important things when you are calm. Avoid arguing when tired or angry.
2. Show Respect in Actions:
Respect is not just a feeling — it must appear in what you do.
- Say “thank you” for everything she does, even small things (making tea, cooking).
- Praise her work, her intelligence, and her decisions.
- Include her in every small and big family decision.
- Give her time and freedom for her hobbies and interests.
- Respect her in public — in front of friends, family, and children. Public respect raises her confidence and strengthens trust in the relationship.
3. Let Go of Male Ego:
True manhood is not about controlling a woman, but about respecting her.
- Housework is a shared responsibility — accept that caring for the home and children is not only the woman’s duty, and take an active part in it.
- She is not your “property” — she is an independent person with her own opinions, dreams, and identity. Accept and value that.
- Apologise when wrong — if you have disrespected her, put aside your ego and sincerely say sorry. Asking for forgiveness does not make you smaller — it makes you greater.
When Things Go Out of Control:
Sometimes problems become so serious that personal efforts alone are insufficient. Seeking outside help is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of wisdom.
- Counselling: A marriage counsellor or psychologist can help you find the root of your relationship problems and guide you toward solutions.
- Legal help: If disrespect escalates to physical or severe emotional abuse, seek legal help immediately.
- India has numerous laws designed to protect women.
- The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, protects women not only from physical abuse but also from emotional, verbal, and financial abuse.
- For more details, visit the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India website.
- Helpline numbers: Many government and non-government organisations run helplines for women.
- National Commission for Women Helpline: 7827170170
- Women Helpline (Nationwide): 181
Parenting for Respectful Futures
If we want a bright future for our home and society, teaching respect to the next generation is our greatest duty.
- Teach your children, especially boys, from an early age to respect women. Tell them to treat their mother, sister, friend, or any woman with kindness and respect.
- Children learn more from what you do than what you say. How you treat your wife today influences how your son will treat his partner tomorrow.
frequently asked questions:
1. What are the hidden signs of disrespect toward a woman?
Interrupting her while she speaks and making fun of her opinions is hurtful behaviour. Dismissing her preferences and choices, looking at your phone during essential conversations on purpose, and calling her “too emotional” to ignore what she says are all signs of disrespect. These seemingly small actions can have a very negative impact.
2. How does disrespecting a woman affect children’s future?
Children who witness their mother being humiliated can develop misguided perceptions about relationships. Boys may become more aggressive. Girls may lose confidence. These changes harm their future married and social lives.
3. I know I was wrong. How can I apologise to my wife and make things right?
First, say sorry sincerely and without conditions. Don’t add excuses or say, “I’m sorry, but you also…”. Promise that you will not repeat the behaviour. The most important thing is to show steady change through your actions.
4. Where can a woman facing domestic disrespect get legal help?
She can file a complaint at the nearest police station or contact the Women’s Commission for support. The Protection Officer under the domestic violence law can provide help, and many NGOs offer free legal advice. Calling the National Women’s Helpline at 181 is a good first step. Legal aid services and family courts can assist with protection orders and other remedies.
5. What is the best way to teach young children to respect women?
The best way is to lead by example. Treat your wife, mother, and sisters with respect. Share household tasks evenly among family members and involve children in completing chores. Read books about gender equality with your children. Have conversations that teach boys and girls to treat everyone fairly. Praise respectful behaviour so children learn it is valued.
conclusion:
Peace at home is in your hands.
When women are humiliated, the peace of the home is lost. Respecting a woman is not a favour to her — it builds your home’s happiness, prosperity, and peace. When the woman at home is happy and content, her positive energy spreads through the family. A house then becomes more than bricks and cement; it becomes a home of love, care, and joy.
Make a decision today to truly respect the woman in your home — her existence, work, and feelings. Then watch how peace and prosperity start to live in your home.
What one step will you take today to honour the lady member in your home? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.