Chapter 16

Coping with Your Husband's Job

Everyonehasajobandjobsaredifferent.Forexample,adriverwhois
mostlyontheroadandisunabletocomehomeeverynight;apoliceman
whomayhavetostayoutsomenights;amedicaldoctorwhohaslittle
timetospendwithhisfamily;alecturerorascientistwhoreadsagreat
dealatnights;amechanicwhoseclothesaredirtyandhavesmellofoil;a
factory worker who works at night. Therefore, there are rarely jobs
which are entirelyconvenient and do not entailany discomfort of the
family. There is not any other way of earning an honest living than
working. It is necessary for the men to put upwith the difficulties of
theirjobs.However,thereisanotherproblemwhichisthecomplaintsof
the family.

Women usually like their men to be nearby and prefer them to be
homewhenitbecomesdark.Womenwanttheirhusbandstohaveade-
centjobwithahighsalary.Theyliketohaveenoughtimetogo outin
theevenings.Butunfortunately,thejobsofmostmendonotliveupto
theirwives'expectations,andthis,forsomefamilies,isasourceofrows
and arguments.

Adriverwhohasbeenontheroadforafewnights,whohasnothada
decentsleepandhasnot beeneatingregularly, entershis houseto rest
andfindpeaceandcomfortwithhisfamily.Thenhiswife,withoutspar-
ingamomentstartstomoanandgroan:"Whatisthislife?Whydoyou
leavemewiththesekidsandwherehaveyoubeen?Ihavetodoallthe
work myself because you are not here to help.

Iamfedupwiththesenaughtychildren.Asamatteroffactdrivingis
not agoodjob.You shouldeitherchange your joborsettlewith me.I
can'tlivelikethisanylonger"Apoordriverwhohassuchawifecannot
be expectedtoperformwellonhisjobandmayendangerhislife; and