You want to know what I bring to the table?

As I sat down with a man recently, he confidently claimed to know whether a woman would make a good wife just from their first conversation. He believed he could determine a woman's IQ from their first discussion. But this post is not about promoting laziness or dependence on men. Instead, it's about equipping women with the tools to answer a question that many men ask in marriage or before marriage: "What do you bring to the table?"

Far too often, men tie the answer to this question to careers, income, and maturity. But it's important to look beyond these factors because a woman without a job or a desired career doesn't mean she has no value to offer. In fact, if every woman lacked the typical answers to this question, no woman would come to the table empty-handed. Every woman brings her life to the table, and that is worth more than anything else.

A woman's life is a precious commodity that is exchanged for the procreation and continuity of the family legacy. During pregnancy, women sacrifice their bodies to changes that could be avoided if they chose not to have children. Many women experience postpartum complications such as deafness or temporary madness after delivery, which can prevent them from caring for their newborns. Some women struggle to regain their physical fitness after childbirth, and breastfeeding can cause sagging breasts.

Women also face the risk of developing gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, postpartum depression, lack of sleep, hormonal changes, and more. All of these responsibilities fall on the shoulders of every woman.

It's time for us to recognise the true value of women beyond their career, income, and maturity. When we see a woman, we should see a great superhero who is willing to give up her life for the sake of her family. So when you ask a woman what she brings to the table, don't be restricted to her career or income. Instead, look beyond those things and recognize the tremendous value that she brings to the table. Even if you think that woman you know is not mature enough, you can help build her maturity, and be willing to help them shoulder the responsibilities that come with motherhood and marriage.