‘If There Can Be A Housewife...’: Madras HC Says ‘House Husband’ Role Can Exist; Internet Asks ‘Who Would Marry Them?’

News viral ‘If There Can Be A Housewife...’: Madras HC Says ‘House Husband’ Role Can Exist; Internet Asks ‘Who Would Marry Them?’

Last Updated:September 25, 2026, 13:29 IST

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court said that if women can take up the role of homemakers, men can also choose to become “house husbands” while sharing responsibilities.

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has said that household responsibilities should not be seen as a role meant only for women. The court observed that if women can be homemakers, men can also take on the same role.

The remarks came while the court was hearing a matrimonial dispute involving a doctor couple from Tiruvannamalai. The case ended after both sides agreed to a divorce and a Rs 2.5 crore settlement involving the wife and their two children.

Court Discusses Sharing Responsibilities At Home

The couple worked at Sri Venkateshwara Medical College Hospital in Puducherry when they married in 2011. They had their first child in 2012.

The wife later stayed with her parents to care for the child while the husband continued his higher studies in cardiology. Their second child was born in 2016.

The couple lived together after the COVID-19 pandemic, but differences later developed between them. The wife approached the Family Court seeking restitution of conjugal rights, while the husband sought divorce. Both petitions were dismissed, leading the couple to file separate appeals before the High Court. During the hearing, the Bench spoke about the different duties involved in maintaining a family. “In our culture, the family is the fundamental unit. The responsibility of earning an income and the responsibility of maintaining the household deserve equal respect," the court observed, as quoted by etvbharat.

Judges Say Men Can Also Take The Homemaker Role

The Bench said some women may feel that marriage could affect their career opportunities and noted the increasing number of unmarried women.

“This situation could change if husbands shared domestic responsibilities. If a ‘housewife’ role exists, a ‘house-husband’ role can also exist," the judges said, as quoted by etvbharat.

The court also observed that the term “homemaker" is gender-neutral and referred to the Supreme Court’s recognition of the economic value of household work.

Husband Agrees To Rs 2.5 Crore Settlement

During the proceedings, the husband agreed to pay Rs 2.5 crore to the wife, keeping the welfare of their children in mind. The wife also accepted the arrangement. The High Court granted the couple a divorce based on mutual consent and disposed of their appeals. The husband was directed to pay Rs 1.5 crore to the wife within three months.

Another Rs 50 lakh each is to be deposited in the names of the two children within one year.

Social Media Users Debate The Court’s Remarks

The court’s observations led to different reactions online, with users discussing whether household roles should be shared and whether the same principles could apply to husbands.

“To all the shitty comments here, you clearly show why women don’t choose to be homemakers because this is what you think of them. And guess what, if you put your career on break to be at home, you will get alimony too. But you don’t know that."

Another said, “A husband provides almost everything a wife need..after becoming house husband do wives have gut to provide every thing husband need..ans is Never"

“I bet many guys wd be willing, but then, who wd marry them?," a person said.

“If husbands can be ordered to pay maintenance and alimony, wives can be too. Let this become the new normal. Will courts recognize and apply this principle equally?," a different individual wrote.

A comment read, “Great in theory. Except, no woman wants to be with a man who earns less than her, forget that he just does household work. She will simply detest such a man because of biology."

Someone said, “Will the court grant alimony to husband’s if they take up the role of homemakers?"

Disclaimer: The claims made in the original post have not been independently verified by News18.

About the Author

Buzz Staff

A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.

Read More