Ann Oakley, On housework and the housewife role
Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Service Examination.
Relevance : Sociology Paper -1 , Unit 6- Work & Economic Life
Ann Oakley, On housework and the housewife role
- Industrialization and Home-Work Separation: Oakley’s analysis underscores the close connection between the rise of contemporary housework in Western societies and the separation of the home from the workplace. The shift of work outside the home during industrialization transformed the home into a space primarily dedicated to consumption rather than production.
- Invisibility of Domestic Work: As work moved away from the home, domestic work, particularly performed by women, became “invisible” as it wasn’t recognized as the type of work deserving direct wages. The societal perception of “real work” became synonymous with waged employment outside the home.
- Gendered Roles and Division of Labor: A conventional model of gendered roles emerged, reinforcing the notion that men were responsible for waged employment, while women were relegated to housework. This led to a clear division of labor within the household, with women shouldering domestic responsibilities while men assumed the role of providers with the “family wage.”
- Persistence of Domestic Work Burden: Despite the introduction of labor-saving equipment, Oakley argues that the average time spent on domestic work by women hasn’t significantly decreased. The burden of domestic tasks remains predominantly on women, contributing to a lack of intrinsic satisfaction and isolation.
- Psychological Pressure and Monotony: Women’s full-time devotion to domestic tasks, as revealed in Oakley’s study, can be isolating and alienating. Housewives often find domestic tasks highly monotonous, facing self-imposed psychological pressure to meet certain standards established for their unpaid work.
- Illusion of Autonomy for Housewives: While some women in the study claimed to be ‘their own boss’ at home, Oakley contends that this autonomy is illusory. Men, in contrast, maintain fixed working hours and avoid additional domestic duties, leading to a disproportionate increase in the working hours of women who are often seen as the ‘natural carers’ in the home.
- Interrelation of Paid and Unpaid Work: Oakley emphasizes the close interrelation between paid and unpaid work, as housework contributes to the overall economy. Despite women considering themselves ‘bosses’ at home, additional domestic duties increase their workload, blurring the lines between work and leisure.
- Unequal Power Relationship: Paid work creates an income, establishing an unequal power relationship by making housewives economically dependent on male partners for their own and their family’s survival. This economic dependency reinforces traditional gender roles and expectations.
Other thinkers and studies on household work
- Crompton et al. (2005) discovered that the escalation of global economic pressures, which intensifies competition and compels firms to seek greater commitment from their predominantly male workforce, has resulted in a ‘stalling’ of the equalization process. While attitudes toward the domestic division of labor were shifting away from tradition, the actual practices within households, particularly in certain countries such as the UK, exhibited a reversion to more traditional patterns.
- ‘Lagged Adaptation’ by Gershuny: Men are increasingly contributing more to domestic work than in the past, but scholars argue that this shift is progressing at a slower pace than women’s entry into the labor market. This phenomenon, termed ‘lagged adaptation’ by Gershuny implies that the renegotiation of domestic tasks between genders is taking time. Research indicates that the division of household labor is influenced by factors like class and the amount of time women spend in paid work.
- The 5 Deadly Cs:
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- The 5 Deadly Cs: represent occupations traditionally performed by women, which are often characterized by low wages and insufficient recognition. Women are predominantly employed in cleaning, catering, caring, cashiering, and clerical roles, and this concentration in these fields contributes to the inadequate compensation they receive.
- While some women may genuinely enjoy these jobs, they are typically undervalued and historically associated with earning extra money rather than being recognized as essential contributors.
- Referring to these roles as “laborers of love,” women engage in tasks deemed naturally suited to them due to perceived inherent qualities rather than their skills.
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Unfortunately, this undervaluation of women’s work has resulted in a lack of attention from policymakers, leaving women in these roles largely overlooked.
Reference: Static Portion
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
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