Is A Woman

’s Place In The Home. Essay, Research Paper

Is A Woman’s Place in the Home.

Glynis R. Hay Rickards

Is Woman’s Place Is In The Home.

I glanced at my watch; it was 3:30 p.m. I logged off the computer picked up my car keys and signaled to my boss. He knows the meaning of that familiar signal. It means I am dashing off to pick up my kids (ages 10 and 13) from school. After picking them up I will take them home and leave them to perform the familiar routine that they have been practicing for years. First they will have their bath, then take the microwave able containers with the specific day labeled from the fridge, placed it in the microwave oven, have their dinner, complete their assignments then head to the baby sitter. The baby sitter being none other than the good old television set or their video games. I would call from my office occasionally to ensure that everything is okay. They have strict orders not to open doors to strangers, and all emergency numbers are at their fingertips. This routine has taught them to be responsible and independent children. At approximately 7:00 pm I would drag myself home, check their assignments, have a little chit-chat with them and then head off to bed.

I compared this to the days when I used to get the bus home from school and would be greeted by my mother with a smile on her face and a cool drink in her hand. She would ask us the familiar question, which we sometimes forget to answer. “How was school today. Did you enjoy you nice lunch that I packed in your lunch kit”. After our bath we would sit at the dining table and enjoy a nice warm meal while sharing the days events. In retrospect I can only ask myself this question. “What has happened to those good old days”. Why did women abandon their place in the home.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution which took place in the Eighteenth Century there was no place for women in the work world because most tasks required manual labour and therefore women would not be considered for such tasks because physical strength was required for effective performance. The advent of the Industrial Revolution, which can be described as the historical transformation of traditional into modern societies, saw the birth of mechanization for manufacturing and other processes. Machines were invented to perform most jobs and the need for women to operate these machines became apparent. Piece work shops and textile factories along with other factories were established and women became a part of the workforce. It was noted that most women joined the work force out of economic necessity. The ability to earn wages provided them with a better standard of living, independence, and mobility, and also self esteem, since they were now able to contribute to the world’s economic development.

While they enjoyed the status of being independent they had to deal with the negative aspects of being a woman in the working world. Women were forced to deal with the lack of amenities. For example proper rest rooms were not available. Their home life suffered because they had to deal with working a full day in the factory then returning home to perform their domestic chores and looking after their family. They would sometimes perform similar jobs to men but would receive less wages and also had to deal with the pressures of sexual harassment. Women received high praises for their performance on the job, but they were deprived of promotional opportunities and rewards because of their gender.

The process of socialization can be negatively affected by the absence of women in the home. While men are seen as the head of the family the women are often responsible for providing the foundation for primary socialization to take place. “Socialization is the process by which individuals learn the culture of their society”. (Haralambos, 1990, p. 4). Primary socialization is the most important factor of the socialization process as this takes place during infancy. During this process, which can be described as a “getting to know you” period, the child develops a bond with the family. The child copies the behaviour of the parents, respond to the approval and disapproval of the parents and also learns the language and develops social etiquette. While the father helps in this process the mother is instrumental because of the natural bond which exist between mother and child.

Psychoanalysis, Erikson (1973) research on psychosocial development proved that; “During the oral-sensory stage which is between birth and eighteen months, the basic crisis centers around the development of either trust or mistrust”. A child is completely dependent on others for the fulfillment of his needs e.g. feeding. If these needs are consistently satisfied and if he receives love and stimulation he will develop a sense of trust, not only in others but also in himself. If, on the other hand, his needs are not satisfied regularly and he receives little love, attention and stimulation, he will develop a sense of mistrust. The presence of the mother at this stage of development is important because of the mother child relationship and it is therefore easier for the mother to successful guide the child through this stage of development.

The deterioration of family norms and values has been attributed to the absence of women in the home. When a child enters society they must learn specific guidelines, wh