Maama man, or domestic god?
IN Jamaican culture, a maama man usually refers to an effeminate man, particularly a man who takes on what is seen as the traditional domestic duties of a woman. All Woman< recently overheard a heated argument among a group of men of varying ages, on the topic of whether or not it is appropriate for men to do their women's laundry.
One man was livid at the thought, but the younger men in the group insisted that he was backward and foolish, and a “caveman” to boot.
Is the ‘maama man’ syndrome still an issue with the Jamaican male? Men, would you wash your woman’s clothes?
Hubert 50, real estate agent:
There is no dividing line really. It’s something that is supposed to be a part of the package, so it comes as a natural that something like that ought to be done.
Devon 29, disc jockey:
Yes, I would wash her drawers in a washing machine if I’m washing both our clothes. For handwashing (panties), she would haffi be well sick and in need of clean ones. It’s a cultural thing. Man not even want to wash their own if a woman is present. I’m not defending it ennuh, just saying what the culture is.
Richard 42, social media manager:
Yep, sure. Just that I would use a washing machine. I don’t think I would do a good job by hand. For delicates, if I was shown how to, I could do it by hand.
Michael, 40:
I have no problem doing it. It can be a case where she is sick or she is just tired, and I would just still volunteer to do it. If you’re going to take it off, why not wash it? I don’t pay attention to stigma, only childish men who don’t respect women talk like that or pay attention to that (maama man) stigma.
Sammy 35, technical engineer:
Yes, ’cause it’s just clothes. Nothing is wrong with it. You take off panties, so you can wash it. Nothing is wrong with that, especially if sickness is involved.
Adam, media practitioner:
Absolutely, I would. A man’s woman is deserving of his best efforts in all areas as is required. I’d be taking off her undies regularly, hence no big deal washing them too, if it becomes necessary.
Barry 39, bar owner:
Honestly, I can’t say yes or no. Me feel a likkle way bout it. Man no usually wash woman clothes, is just a thing…but maybe, like in a washing machine or so.
Treyon, 26:
My girlfriend and I live on campus, and more than once when she wasn’t feeling well I washed her clothes — in a machine of course. She does it for me, so I don’t see why I wouldn’t do it for her. Hand washing nuh come into play because times are modern, there is no need for that. Who still washes by hand in this day and age?
