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)