Sexual division of labor labeled oppressing

Sexual division of labor labeled oppressing

JAKARTA (JP): The traditional sexual division of labor between
men and women, which supposedly originated from biological
differences between the sexes, is often seen as a source of
oppression.

Things were different in the past. Women had more power
because their work was vital for the survival of the family and
their tribe. Women produced most of the material goods, like
bedding, clothing, cooking ware and tools that could be passed on
the future generation.

Friedrich Engels, the author of The Origin of The Family,
Private Property and The State, believed that past societies were
not only matrilinear, but also matriarchal as they had political
and social as well as economic power.

The domestication of animals and the breeding of herds changed
everything, he said. Because it was the men who caught the
animals at the first place, they were the ones who had the power
over the animals. The value of material goods produced by women
dropped and accordingly women had less and less power. Without
control over the household, the status of women in society was
greatly diminished.

Engels said that proletarian women experience less oppression
than bourgeois women. This was partly explained by the fact that
many proletarian women had to work outside the house.

Such conditions also prevailed in Indonesia, according to
feminist Wardah Hafidz.

Both men and women of the low-class worked outside the house.
Because the women had their contribution to the family income,
they had a better bargaining position, she said. In the middle-
upper class, women stayed at home and became the property of
their husbands. Economically, they were totally dependent on
their husbands.

"The rate of divorce in rural areas was high. But urban women
of the middle and upper class were afraid to have a divorce
because they were financially dependent on the husbands," Wardah,
who is also a researcher, said.

Domestic work, like cleaning the house, cooking and taking
care of the children, is not necessary less valuable than the
work outside the house. However, housewives don't get paid for
this. Because they financially dependent on their husbands, they
are often placed in a subordinate position, she said.

It seems that the problem with the sexual division of labor is
more complex than "who does this and who does that".

The biggest problem is the lack of appreciation in the
domestic work.

Should housewives be paid for doing the household chores?

"Why not?"

"Italian housewives get pension allowances from the
government," Wardah added.

The Italian government agreed to make payments last year in
recognition of the role of housewives in supporting society,
thanks to tireless efforts of a nation-wide organization of
housewives, according to Wardah.

At this moment, asking for the Indonesian government to grant
such a pension allowance might be considered "too much".

"What is important for the government and the people is to
appreciate housework. They should show respect for the work,"
Wardah said.

"Housework should have social status," she said.

How about full-time househusbands? Do they exist? It might
sounds unusual, but it is a fact that there are men who stay at
home while their wives work to feed the family.

"I decided to become a househusband after I failed to find a
job for years," Joni, not real name, said.

"At the beginning, I was depressed, but now I have accepted
this as reality," he added.

Whatever the reason, househusbands exist. People might frown
upon them. But if they can accept the idea that doing household
chores and nurturing is respectable, they should be able to
respect househusbands too.

Working women also have their own problems. Most of them do
clerical, secretarial or blue-collar work. Only a few work at
managerial level. Discrimination against women still prevails.
Sexual harassment at work can happen at any time. The glass
ceiling is still there, preventing women from getting to a higher
position, even when they're the best qualified for the job.

Despite all of the gender-related problems at the work place,
the number of working women is rising. More and more women work.
In Indonesia, the total labor force in 1994 was estimated at 86.3
million and 36.1 million were women. Some work to achieve self-
fulfillment. But many others work for economical reasons.

According to Wardah, women should have the freedom to choose.
People should respect the choice of those who want to be full-
time housewives and appreciate their work. But people should also
respect the choice of women who want to work outside the house.
Husbands should be willing to share the household chores and
accept the reality that like them, their wives might also want to
achieve something in their life -- something other than clean
sheets.

Being financially independent will liberate women to a certain
extent. But women will never be fully liberated while gender
discrimination in this patriarchal society remains. (sim)